Module 30: Override & Bedside Realities: Ethics, Safety, and Speed

Up to this point, you have mastered the skills of a pharmacist in the “control tower.” From the safety of the central pharmacy or your remote workstation, you have learned to be an expert air traffic controller: you manage flight plans (medication orders), ensure correct routes (dosing), check for collisions (interactions), and give the final clearance for takeoff (verification). This is a critical, systems-level role that ensures safety on a massive scale.

But what happens after the plane has been cleared for landing? What happens on the ground? This module takes you out of the control tower and places you on the tarmac. This is where the perfect flight plan meets the chaotic reality of the airport. The jet bridge won’t connect (an IV pump is beeping), the baggage is missing (a critical med isn’t in the ADC), or a pilot needs to use an emergency runway (a nurse needs to override the Pyxis).

Your role now shifts from a remote controller to a hands-on, rapid-response problem solver. By the end of this module, you will have the playbook to manage these real-world logistical and clinical emergencies with a calm, systematic approach that balances the urgent needs of the patient at the bedside with your unwavering commitment to safety.