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IMPLANTATION OF A PHARMACEUTICAL CARE AND HOME DELIVERY CIRCUIT FOR OUTPATIENTS DURING THE ALARM STATE FOR COVID-19

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European Statement

Clinical Pharmacy Services

Author(s)

ROCÍO TAMAYO BERMEJO, ARANZAZU LINARES ALARCÓN, CASILDA ORTEGA DE LA CRUZ, ISABEL MUÑOZ CASTILLO

Why was it done?

In the alarm state due to COVID-19 in March 2020, in order to reduce the number of visits to the hospital to outpatients who go to the Outpatient Pharmaceutical Care Area, a new Pharmaceutical Care and home delivery circuit is implemented.

What was done?

A circuit of Pharmaceutical Care and home delivery was implemented for outpatients in the alarm state due to COVID-19.

How was it done?

The needs, possibilities and resources of the Hospital were identified. Material resources were adapted: supply and stock management. A logistical solution was sought and a review of thermolabile drug stabilities was made. Human resources were restructured: definition of a new team, functions and responsibilities.
A new circuit was implemented with remote access. When the patient contacts, he´s attended by a pharmacist who performs the screening and interview (initiation/follow-up), who after reviewing the clinical records, validates the treatment and selects the dispensing process of the patient according to individualized. The preparation of shipments is organized through the use of a web resource, by a pharmacy technician and at a specific time, based on a list of shipments per day, dispensing sheets and personalized labels. Once the dispensations have been prepared, a double check is made by another pharmacy technician on a different shift.
Three phone lines and an email weren´t enough to attend to all concurrents demands in a period of less than 24 hours. To mitigate this situation, a multichannel information strategy was implemented to notify all patients.
Other limitations: incidents by the logistic operator, errors in addresses and incorrect dose shipments.

What has been achieved?

During two months (April-May), 1103 patients benefited from the new circuit, approximately 30% of the patients who collect medication in our Outpatient Pharmaceutical Care Area during this period.

What next?

The pharmaceutical care and home delivery circuit has been shown to be safe, and has been able to meet the needs that are required in a alarm state. Also, it´s a circuit applicable to other Pharmacy Deparments since it doesn´t require a large investment in resources.

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