Developing a customer-driven approach to quality improvement systems.

The development of a DCP in the manner presented previously has allowed for a consistent definition of customer needs and expectations within a pharmacy service. By applying this approach it has allowed the department to address the controversies associated with the identification of key customers and has also allowed a balance to be achieved between internal and external forces. From our analysis it is clear that the pharmacy department has a critical role in establishing a customer service philosophy that is key to the overall success of the institution's quality goal. It is also clear that pharmacy services cannot truly be developed without a customer service philosophy central to their design and implementation. In an era where drug expenditures represent an ever-increasing portion of corporate budgets, the pharmacy's ability to deliver goods and services that are customer and quality focused will be critical to organizational survival. The time has come to put ego aside and critically analyze whether or not a quality service is being delivered that meets a true customer need.