9/12/02

Bob Lowry, 334/844-9999

INSTITUTE FOR SAFE MEDICATION PRACTICES HONORS AU RESEARCHER

AUBURN -- An Auburn University professor nationally known for his research on prescription drug medication errors has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices.

Kenneth Barker, the Sterling Distinguished Professor in AU's School of Pharmacy and director of AU's Center for Pharmacy Operations Design, will receive the award at the ISMP's Cheers Awards Dinner in Atlanta on Dec. 10.

The award is presented in memory of David Vogel, a former ISMP trustee. Barker's career in pharmacy has included a series of accomplishments and innovations that have had a major impact on the practice of pharmacy and the quality of U.S. healthcare.

On Sept. 9, Barker released a nationally recognized new study that showed that medication errors were found in nearly one of five doses administered in 36 health care facilities in Colorado and Georgia.

His findings were published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, a publication of the American Medical Association

Barker, who came to Auburn in 1975, is recognized as one of the nation's leading innovators in pharmacy care systems. He has been a national leader in the development and assessment of the unit-dose medication distribution system, a safety system designed to ensure proper dosages for hospital patients, eliminate drug-therapy errors and improve the effective use of nurses.

At Auburn, Barker is professor of Social and Administrative Sciences in the AU School of Pharmacy.

In 1998, American Druggist magazine named Barker one of the nation's "50 Most Influential Pharmacists.

sep02:AU-barker

CONTACT: Barker, 334/844-5152 or 334/821-8050 or ISMP, 215/947-7797.