Maintaining comprehensive pharmacy services during a pandemic: Recommendations from a designated COVID-19 facility

Sin, Jonathan H; Richards, Iain; Ribisi, Maria S

doi:10.1093/ajhp/zxaa194

Cited by 12 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Despite improvements in technology, implementation of the telecommuting in pharmacy continued to be limited until necessity arose, or more specifically, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic broke out. [2][3][4][5][6][7] Although telecommuting models were implemented as a short-term strategy to address the current crisis, pharmacy leaders should consider the long-term benefits of telecommuting and re-evaluate the opportunity to integrate telecommuters into their practice models to address other challenges, such as burnout and decreased resource availability following resolution of the pandemic.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Leveraging telecommuting pharmacists in the post–COVID-19 world

Martin¹

2020

Journal of the American Pharmacists Association

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In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many industries, including pharmacy, rapidly expanded the use of telecommuting workers to assure business continuity and address social distancing needs. Advances in electronic health records and telepharmacy over the past 2 decades enabled pharmacy leaders to easily adapt their practice models to allow for telecommuting alternatives during the pandemic. While these changes were generally intended to be part of the short-term response, the sustained expansion of telecommuting within the pharmacy profession merits further exploration. Documented experience with telepharmacy and telehealth indicate a wide array of clinical and operational pharmacist activities that could be conducted by telecommuters. In addition, experience with telecommuters in other industries suggests potential benefits ranging from improving pharmacists' work-life balance to mitigating postpandemic financial burden. Health care organizations should consider integrating part-time telecommuter pharmacists into contemporary practice models to address other frontline issues and facilitate ongoing expansion of clinical pharmacy services to meet emerging patient needs.

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confidence: 99%

“…Interestingly, some health system pharmacies also shifted or planned to shift a cohort of their employees to deliver patient care remotely to preserve the workforce and maximize surge capacity. [4][5][6][7]…”

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confidence: 99%

Leveraging telecommuting pharmacists in the post–COVID-19 world

Martin¹

2020

Journal of the American Pharmacists Association

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“…In Switzerland, for example, Lausanne University Hospital’s Department of Internal Medicine increased its bed capacity by 65% (from 160 normally to 263 at the outbreak’s peak) to ensure secure patient overflow (12). Increased bed availability was also reported in lots of countries, such as, for instance, the USA (13).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Detailed support activities for medical and care teams are listed in Table 5. A pharmacy technician was present in the ICU to help nurses withdraw drugs from their care unit drug stocks 1 (2) 0 (0) 1 (13) No specific support activities were proposed 7 (17) 7 (21) 0 (0) A pharmacy technician was present in other care units treating COVID-19 patients to help nurses prepare drugs In general, clinical pharmacy services also provided tables with product characteristics and monitored every prescription closely (checking for interactions, contraindications, and correct dosage).…”

Section: Support For Medical and Care Teamsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Management of the Covid-19 Health Crisis: A Survey in Swiss Hospital Pharmacies

Schumacher

Dhif

Bonnabry

et al. 2020

Preprint

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ObjectiveThis survey aims at reviewing the actions undertaken by Switzerland’s hospital pharmacies during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA questionnaire covering topics related to the management of the COVID-19 crisis was sent to 65 heads of swiss hospital pharmacy.Results59% of pharmacies reported changes in the role of their staff. 41% of pharmacies had existing standard operating procedures or pandemic plans. 51% created new drug lists for: COVID-19-specific treatments (83% of pharmacies), sedatives (81%), anaesthetics (77%) and antibiotics (73%). Drug availability in COVID-19 wards was managed by increasing existing stocks (54% of pharmacies) and creating extra storage space (51%). Two drugs generated the most concern about shortages: propofol (49% of pharmacies) and midazolam (44%). Remdesivir stocks even ran out in 26% of pharmacies. 77% of pharmacies experienced problems procuring hand sanitiser solutions and 53% manufactured these themselves. Specific new documents were drafted to respond to medical needs with regards to drug administration (29% of pharmacies), drug preparation (29%) and treatment choices (24%). 47% of pharmacies implemented internal specific hygiene measures and 28% introduced team debriefings.ConclusionsSwiss hospital pharmacies encountered many challenges related to the COVID-19 crisis and had to find solutions quickly and effectively.

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“… 32 These innovative ways for engaging students allow student pharmacists to be exposed to ambulatory care practice, while offsetting pharmacist time. 29 - 32 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Student pharmacists’ role in enhancing ambulatory care pharmacy practice

Pamulapati

Hess

2020

Pharm Pract (Granada)

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With a primary care physician shortage, utilization of pharmacists in the ambulatory care setting has proven to have positive economic and clinical outcomes for the practice and for patients. To extend the reach of the pharmacists, students may assist with patient care activities, such as medication reconciliation, point-of-care testing, and counseling. Evidence has shown that students benefit in building confidence, as well as improved perceptions of interprofessional care, while positive patient outcomes are maintained. There are many methods for schools to integrate these experiences early into their curriculum, as well as for students to explore opportunities on their own.

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Maintaining comprehensive pharmacy services during a pandemic: Recommendations from a designated COVID-19 facility

Cited by 12 publications

References 23 publications

Leveraging telecommuting pharmacists in the post–COVID-19 world

Leveraging telecommuting pharmacists in the post–COVID-19 world

Management of the Covid-19 Health Crisis: A Survey in Swiss Hospital Pharmacies

Student pharmacists’ role in enhancing ambulatory care pharmacy practice

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