Organizations that use contracts may use more than one contract. The contracting process could separate pharmaceuticals from consultants. Segregation allows renegotiations for a specific purpose. Consulting services typically incorporate updates to policies and procedures related to compliance with state and federal regulations, quality assurance programs, and staff training. Contracts can update professional services based on a change in population. The inclusion of a subacute unit which requires more advanced equipment, multiple medication changes, and an advanced emergency kit represents an update to professional services.4The role of the consultant pharmacist is to supervise pharmaceutical services as well as to evaluate and monitor residents' drug therapy. (Brown, 1988). The consulting pharmacist must have a written agreement or contract with the facility that outlines responsibilities and scope of service. The pharmacist coordinates pharmaceutical services in the pharmacy contract. These broad ranges of services include continuous quality assurance checks and drug reviews. They also include recommendations and implementation of emergency kits that the pharmacy controls and manages. Providing organized medication carts significantly reduces medication administration errors because it separates medications prescribed for each resident with each medication in a single unit package (Brown, 1988). Pharmacists conduct continuing education programs to meet the needs of professional and other ancillary personnel. . Topics may include monitoring residents on complex medication regimens, use of infusion pumps, administration of IV infusions and certification of IV infusions, and updates related to compliance with state and federal regulations .... middle of document ...... have quality programs. Modern healthcare. 30(43) 56. Retrieved April 5, 2010 from the EBSCO database. Prescription drug errors can affect millions of patients. Nutritional Health Journal: The Consumer's Medical Journal; 2006, number 96, p19-19, 2/3p. Retrieved April 2, 2010 from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=awh&AN=25554129&site=ehost-live.Sloane, PD, Bates, J., Donahue, K., Irmiter, C. & Gadon, M. (1995-2010). Effective clinical partnerships between primary care physician practices and public health agencies. American Medical Association. Retrieved April 2, 2010 from http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/Wilson, D., Malloy, M., McCoy, J., & Turner, M. (2004). 3 steps to profitable managed care contracts. Healthcare Financial Management: Journal of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, 58(5), 34-38.