Background The term Web 2.0 is associated with web aplications that facilitate information sharing, user-centred design, interoperability and using the World Wide Web as a collaboration tool. Information Technology helps to establish effective communication systems to facilitate the work in hospital pharmacy environments.

Purpose Describe the application of Web 2.0 for the hospital pharmacy to improve communication in a decentralised University Hospital.

Materials and methods The communication was difficult and often ineffective until the implementation of Web 2.0 technologies within a hospital pharmacy, with 3 separate hospitals for more than 4 km. The authors established a strategy for improving the quality of communication using online tools: Google groups, Google Sites, Twitter and Facebook.

Results The authors performed 2 Google groups with restricted access for group communication: one for the Pharmacy Department (PDGG) and another specifically for Clinical Pharmacists (CPGG). The PDGG is used for any common notice and the CPGG was to discuss and report on technical issues (including the guard pass the day before). A total of 963 posts in the period October 2008 to October 2011. Also created two Websites with restricted access where there are common sections (secretary of service and quality) and others specific. Thus, in the Pharmacy Department Website, the sections were: welcoming new staff, teaching, standard operating protocols; and in the Clinical Pharmacy Website: Commissions and Committees, Evaluation and selection of drugs, Clinical Pharmacy, Drug Information, Drug Safety and Research. Facebook and Twitter have also been recently incorporated as an additional communication tool.

Conclusions The results show that the Web 2.0 is a suitable tool for collaborative work. This system allows the exchange of relevant information between the Pharmacy Service Staff safely and effectively.