The survey of 541 U.S. hospitals asked participants about the economy’s impact on payroll and employment, cost and capital investment management, pharmacy services, and education and professional development.

The survey found 37 percent of respondents have had their staffing budgets reduced in the last six months; 10 percent of respondents have laid off personnel; 22 percent have frozen vacant positions; and 66 percent of respondents have been required to reduce their drug budgets. Among respondents that have student rotations, 16 percent reported that they will reduce the number of rotations. Among respondents that have accredited first-year residency programs, 7 percent will be reducing residency positions.

The economic impact has also provided some new opportunities for pharmacists, according to the survey. Twenty-three percent of respondents report that they have experienced expanded leadership opportunities resulting from leadership voids in other departments. Sixty percent of respondents have been given oversight for organizational projects to identify and obtain cost reductions.

“Pharmacy departments are being asked to do more with less while they still have to meet critical patient-care needs to ensure safe and effective medication use,” said Kevin J. Colgan, ASHP president. “Networking with peers and sharing experiences can help pharmacists meet these challenges, and ASHP intends to serve as that resource for our members.”

ASHP conducted the survey as part of its efforts to help pharmacists in hospitals and health systems better understand the impact of the current economy and find ways to weather the storm, Colgan said.