Question

Meaning of protocol according to pharmacy

Answer 1

“Protocol” means a series of actions (which may include a number of medications) that may be implemented to manage a patient’s clinical status. A protocol allows the application of specific interventions to be decided by the nurse based on the patient meeting certain criteria outlined in the protocol as long as the intervention is within the scope of practice of the nurse. A protocol includes alternative actions or “exceptions” to the prescriptive orders that allows for individual patient circumstance as assessed by the nurse. These “exceptions” are addressed by application of an algorithm that is a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or accomplishing the intervention. An agency may, if it chooses, have protocols that are developed by authorized practitioners and are designed to standardize and optimize patient care in accordance with current clinical guidelines or standards of practice.