Design and Implementation of Tech-Check-Tech Programs in North Dakota Pharmacies.

BACKGROUND: Tech-check-tech (TCT) programs in pharmacies are beneficial in facilitating a transition from fee for service dispensing tasks to advanced patient care, but they are underutilized.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the design, implementation, and evaluation of a transferable TCT program in several North Dakota pharmacies, with the goal of facilitating future efforts in other states.

METHODS: We developed a universal TCT implementation toolkit, recruited 6 pharmacies to implement it, developed an educational program for the pharmacies, and worked with the pharmacies over a year to assess success of the program. Pre- and post-implementation surveys assessed pharmacist and technician responses in regards to program effectiveness. Four outcomes were measured, and included pharmacist's time savings, descriptive comments on changes in workflow, incidence of errors and near misses, and barriers to implementation.

RESULTS: The implementation of TCT was unanimously perceived as successful and increasing efficiency in the post-site surveys completed by pharmacists. All 13 technicians who participated in the post-survey indicated the methods and materials used for training were sufficient and appropriate. The most commonly cited barrier to implementation of TCT stated by technicians was incorporating TCT into their current workflow. No dispensing errors which resulted in patient impact occurred throughout the duration of this study.

CONCLUSIONS: A TCT implementation template provided a successful framework for TCT in various pharmacy settings and can serve as a model for other pharmacy settings, states, or regions.