Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital Recognized as ASHP Certified Center of Excellence in Medication-Use Safety and Pharmacy Practice

ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) has named Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington, an ASHP Certified Center of Excellence™ in Medication-Use Safety and Pharmacy Practice. The certification recognizes Legacy Salmon Creek pharmacy department's commitment to superior patient care. Legacy Salmon Creek is the third organization and first community hospital to achieve the recognition.

“The ASHP Center of Excellence certification recognizes healthcare organizations that have reached the highest levels of excellence in pharmacy practice, medication safety, and overall pharmacy patient care services,” said ASHP Chief Executive Officer Paul W. Abramowitz, PharmD, ScD (Hon), FASHP. "We are pleased to recognize the Legacy Salmon Creek team as an ASHP Center of Excellence in Medication-Use Safety and Pharmacy Practice for their high-quality pharmacy services. This high-performing team demonstrated a commitment to excellence and dedication to their mission to care for patients and serve the community."

Organizations pursuing designation as a Center of Excellence undergo a formal review process to assess performance in key areas, including patient care services, medication-use safety, and pharmacy operations. The pharmacy department's level of performance is evaluated using the ASHP Standard for Certification as a Center of Excellence in Medication-Use Safety and Pharmacy Practice. The standard reflects contemporary best practices in pharmacy for hospitals and health systems.

“We are overjoyed and immensely proud to have achieved the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists' Center of Excellence certification,” said Ryan Erlewine, PharmD, senior pharmacy director for Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center. “This esteemed recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional patient care, clinical excellence, and innovation in pharmacy practice. We undertook this process to see where we measured up against the best pharmacy departments and learn where to improve. We are incredibly proud of all our team members and believe this certification reflects the outstanding care they provide.”

Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center is Southwest Washington’s most modern and innovative hospital. A five-star rated hospital, it offers the latest technology in an award-winning setting designed for comfort, care, and calm. Legacy Salmon Creek features innovations in joint replacement, robotic surgery, pelvic health for women, cancer care, intensive care for newborns, medical care for children, and more. It is nationally recognized for its nursing and stroke care and features groundbreaking expertise in robotic-assisted surgeries.  

To learn more about the ASHP Center of Excellence certification, visit ashp.org/COE.

About ASHP

ASHP is the largest association of pharmacy professionals in the United States, representing 60,000 pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians in all patient care settings, including hospitals, ambulatory clinics, and health-system community pharmacies. For over 80 years, ASHP has championed innovation in pharmacy practice, advanced education and professional development, and served as a steadfast advocate for members and patients. In addition, ASHP is the accrediting body for pharmacy residency and technician training programs and provides comprehensive resources to support pharmacy professionals through every stage of their careers. For more information, visit ashp.org and ASHP’s consumer website, SafeMedication.com.