Dr. Teerapat Majam, Ms. Siriwan Loedphunphon, and Ms. Natalee Manreh from the School of Pharmacy, Walailak University, attended the Internship Training Program Summary at Changhua Christian Hospital, Taiwan, from 9–20 September 2024. During the internship, we had the opportunity to observe and participate in several advanced pharmacy practices, focusing on patient safety, efficient medication management, and hands-on experience in chemotherapy preparation. The program exposed us to state-of-the-art systems, clinical pharmacy services, and interdisciplinary teamwork between pharmacists, nurses, and doctors.
Key Learnings
1. Pharmacy Service & Medication Management System
Ms. Yi-Jung Chiang, Division Chief of Clinical Pharmacy, introduced us to CCH’s comprehensive pharmacy services and the automated medication management system. This system integrates AI and QR code technology, significantly reducing medication errors and improving workflow efficiency. Observing this advanced technology inspired ideas for potential improvements in Thailand’s hospital systems.
2. Chemotherapy Drug Preparation
Under the guidance of several expert pharmacist preceptors — Mr. Chung-Hung Huang, Mr. Shih-Wei Lin, Ms. Shiao-Yun Tseng, and Ms. Kuan-Ling Kua — we learned about the processes involved in preparing chemotherapy drugs using both traditional aseptic techniques and Closed System Transfer Devices (CSTD). We were also introduced to using biological safety cabinets (BSC) to handle hazardous drugs safely.
3. Clinical Pharmacy Audits
Throughout the program, we reviewed chemotherapy prescriptions, applied safety protocols, and learned about pharmacists’ various checks to ensure accurate dosages and safe drug administration. The role of pharmacists in managing chemotherapy safety was emphasized, especially regarding patient-specific adjustments based on renal and hepatic function.
4. Collaborative Healthcare Model
CCH has implemented a robust system of collaboration between doctors, pharmacists and nurses, which enhances treatment safety and efficacy. This seamless workflow between departments, observed in inpatient and outpatient settings, ensures optimized patient care, particularly in chemotherapy and medication management.
Dr. Teerapat and his team want to express their deep gratitude to Dr. Nina Kao, CEO of the Overseas Medical Mission Center, for her warm welcome and for providing them with an exceptional learning opportunity. Special thanks go to Ms. Yi-Jung Chiang, Division Chief of Clinical Pharmacy, for her thorough introduction to CCH’s pharmacy services and medication management system, and to our preceptors — Mr. Chung-Hung Huang, Mr. Shih-Wei Lin, Ms. Shiao-Yun Tseng, and Ms. Kuan-Ling Kua — for their expert guidance throughout the training. They are also grateful to Ms. Nancy for her outstanding cooperation and coordination, which made this internship program a smooth and rewarding experience.
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