WAYNESBORO – WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital has completed a new inpatient pharmacy. The modern facility is designed to advance patient safety, medication quality and innovative pharmacy services, a WellSpan spokesman said.
The new pharmacy has expanded the space of the previous suite’s 1,100 square feet to 1,700 square feet, providing a more functional space designed to meet the growing demands of the hospital.
“Our new pharmacy has been built for safety and designed for the future. It includes significant advancements and features for our team to utilize as we support the care needs of our patients,” said Jarett Logsdon, manager of pharmacy operations at WellSpan Waynesboro.
A major highlight of the renovation is the transformation of the IV room into a cutting-edge sterile compounding suite. The new suite achieved “ISO 7” certification, making it 100 times cleaner than normal air. This state-of-the-art suite features a dedicated room for handwashing and gowning, a positive-pressure cleanroom with an “ISO 5”-certified hood for sterile compounding and a negative-pressure cleanroom for handling hazardous drugs.
The design of the pharmacy prioritizes safety and sterility, with features such as automatic doors, non-porous wall coatings and seamless floors and ceilings, WellSpan officials said. The advanced air quality system, equipped with HEPA-filtered air and over 50 air changes per hour, significantly reduces contamination risks. The environmental conditions are continuously monitored to maintain compliance with national guidelines, ensuring 24/7 sterile conditions.
The benefits of this new facility are multifaceted, officials noted. The controlled environment allows for the storage of commonly compounded sterile products for up to 10 days refrigerated, compared to the previous 24 hours. This leads to reduced waste, greater medication readiness and enhanced patient care, particularly during after-hours and emergency situations.
The new suite also includes a dedicated team member break area and a permanent workspace for the pharmacy resident, improving working conditions. Additionally, the upgrade has freed up clinical space on the third floor, allowing for potential future expansion.
“This investment in the hospital’s pharmacy services is more than just building a new space. It really serves as a foundation for delivering safer, more efficient, and higher-quality care to our patients every day,” said Melissa Dubrow, vice president of WellSpan Health and president of WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital. “With its advanced features and our team’s commitment to excellence, this pharmacy will make a significant impact on patient care provided today and in the future.”
The new pharmacy has received very positive reviews from regulatory agencies, with the Board of Pharmacy giving the new space high marks during their inspection and the Pennsylvania Department of Health approving the space. The pharmacy became operational for the hospital earlier this summer.
