ABSTRACT
The healthcare team is most evident in organized healthcare systems such as hospitals, health plans, and clinics. Hospitals, the most dominant member of health systems, are also where the newest drugs, some of which are still under investigation, are used. This chapter explores the hospital, the patient, the healthcare team, and what it is like to practice pharmacy inside a typical hospital. It covers pharmacy's mission within a hospital: the control of drugs, proper use of drugs, avoiding medication misadventures, and education and training. The chapter also covers the roles of the pharmacist and other members of the pharmacy department and how they are evolving. Job satisfaction among pharmacists working in hospitals correlates highly with both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Besides diagnosing and treating these illnesses, hospitals also diagnose and treat rare and unusual conditions, perform surgery if needed, and educate patients about their health and how to manage and improve their quality of life.
