When patients and visitors are in the hospital they rarely see any signs or other materials about pharmacists.  Patients sometimes don’t even realize that there is a pharmacy department in the hospital or that pharmacists are key members of the patient’s healthcare team.

That’s why ASHP created the Just Ask! Campaign.  This new program highlights your role as a medication expert and is designed to increase the visibility of pharmacists and pharmacy departments among hospital patients, visitors, and staff.

Using the Campaign Materials

At the centerpiece of the campaign are a variety of easy-to-use tools that can be tailored to meet the needs of your institution. 

Tool Kit

A starter-kit packed with resources to let patients and visitors know the important role pharmacists play on their healthcare team, including: 

• Medications & You brochure (Qty: 400)
• Patient Greeting Cards (Qty: 300)
• “Just Ask!” Posters  (11” x 17” and 18” x 24” Qty: 15 of each size)
• Table Tent Cards (Qty: 250)
• Patient Education Tip Sheets (Qty: 150 each of three different topics)
• Buttons (Qty: 20)

The kit also includes a CD that contains tips for using the materials as well as printer-ready versions of selected items in the kit.

Patient Greeting Cards

The greeting cards are a personalized way to let patients know who their pharmacist is and how the pharmacist can help answer medication questions.  The greeting cards are also available in Spanish.

• Personally deliver when visiting or greeting patients.  
• Place on patient bedside tables.

Table Tent Cards

These cards feature a pharmacist that encourages patients to ask the pharmacist questions about their medicines.  The reverse side of the card features the message in Spanish.

• Place on cafeteria tables for patients and staff.
• Include on the admissions table/desk for patients to take or to read during admittance.
• Place on tables in waiting areas with other reading materials.
• Place on patient bedside table as a reminder that the pharmacist is another expert on staff who can answer medication questions.

Posters

The eye-catching posters feature a pharmacist that encourages patients to ask the pharmacist questions about their medicines. The poster is offered in sizes 11”x17” and 18”x24 and features the “Just Ask” message in Spanish on the reverse side.

• Hang in patient waiting and lobby areas.
• Feature on designated public information displays in hospital.

Patient Education Tip Sheets

Use these tip sheets to help patients remember the important tips you’ve shared about using antibiotics wisely, preventing medication errors, and ensuring medication safety while in the hospital.  The reverse side of each tip sheet is in Spanish.

• Can be given to patients by pharmacists, nurses, and physicians.
• Place on admitting desk for patients and caregivers.
• Include on hospital display racks in patient waiting and lobby areas.
• Distribute at health fairs.
• Include content on hospital Web site.

Medications and You brochure 

The brochure is a great resource on making the best use of medications and how hospital pharmacists can assist patients.  Brochure includes a sample medication record chart that patients can use to list their medications and dosage. The brochure is also available in Spanish.

• Include on hospital display racks in patient waiting and lobby areas.
• Provide to patients during admittance.
• Provide to professional staff during patient education training seminars and workshops.
• Distribute at health fairs.

Click here to order from ASHP's online catalog

To find out how materials can be personalized for your hospital, contact the Public Relations Division 301-664-8799 or publicinfo@ashp.org.