For the pharmacists at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (ZSFG), the work begins long before a prescription if filled. As critical members of the care teams throughout the hospital, clinical pharmacists partner with providers to ensure all patients have access to the right medications paired with the right care.
In the Emergency Department, this often happens at rapid fire pace. As the City’s only Level 1 trauma center, ZSFG Pharmacists are treating patients across the spectrum – from the critically ill to patients requiring social support as they rely on the ED for emergency care.
For Pharmacist Helen Hou, working in collaboration with her ED colleagues allows the team to find the best treatment for each patient. Whether that is ensuring a patient leaves the emergency room with the medications they need in-hand, or with the right information and a direct call to another pharmacy, small acts can make a huge difference and even prevent future admissions.
Joyce Go echoed Helen’s commitment to addressing social determinants of health alongside their medical needs. As a part of the Social Medicine model in the ED, Joyce and her colleagues work with social workers, nurses, physicians, and case managers to find the right solution in the moment.
“For patients whom the team is worried about losing connection to care, the ability to prescribe something simple as a five-day or seven-day course of antibiotics could make or break what happens next for them. So, whenever we can bridge them to their follow-up care, we do.” Joyce Go, PharmD BCEMP, Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacist
Working at the City’s only public hospital leaves opportunities to rethink health care delivery to best meet the needs of the patients. For Helen, a San Francisco native, the chance to shadow ZSFG pharmacists in high school inspired her own journey in public health. Seeing many of these innovations firsthand, the “ZSFG way” stuck with her, guiding her way back to ZSFG.
“What we do here is beyond the sterile clinical work, it is looking at each patient as a human being and tailoring care. ZSFG is just unlike any other hospital system.” Helen Hou, PharmD BCEMP, Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacist
Christina Wang, a Cardiology and Anticoagulation Clinical Pharmacist at ZSFG, underscores the significance of discharge counseling and medication education. Recognizing the diverse circumstances of her patients, she is committed to meeting them where they are. Christina, along with her team ensure that patients lacking access to certain medications can engage with the medical team and explore generic alternatives, breaking down barriers to care.
It’s essential to ensure that all patients, regardless of their background, have access to effective medications. Christina Wang, PharmD, Cardiology and Anticoagulation Clinical Pharmacist
She emphasizes the importance of reinforcing education about warning signs and when to seek care. Christina highlights the need for patients to feel reassured that they can always return to the pharmacy team or reach out to their primary care providers without fear. Her team’s role is to guide patients through this process and ensure they understand their options.
ZSFG pharmacists embody a comprehensive approach to patient care, ensuring that every individual is seen, supported, and equipped for ongoing health challenges. By fostering a culture of reassurance and accessibility, they not only improve immediate care outcomes but also contribute to the long-term well-being of their patients.