The EAHP Board, elected for three-year terms, oversees the association’s activities. Comprising directors responsible for core functions, it meets regularly to implement strategic goals. Supported by EAHP staff, the Board controls finances, coordinates congress organization, and ensures compliance with statutes and codes of conduct.
IMPLEMENTATION OF A PHARMACEUTICAL PROTOCOL FOR THE RECEPTION, STORAGE AND DISPENSING OF SARS-COV-2 VACCINES
European Statement
Selection, Procurement and Distribution
Author(s)
Pablo Ciudad Gutiérrez, Marta Mejías Trueba, Héctor Luis Acosta García, Maria Victoria Gil Navarro, Sandra Flores Moreno
Why was it done?
To establish a protocol for the reception, storage and dispensing of SARS-COV-2 vaccines.
What was done?
A standardised work protocol was prepared detailing the role of hospital pharmacists in the reception, storage and dispensing of vaccines, which was approved by the Head of the Pharmacy Service. A certificate of receipt was also prepared with a view to keeping a record of the number of vials received, expiry date, batch, thawing date and temperature, as well as details of each person involved in the circuit.
How was it done?
Phase 1: Preparation, approval and diffusion of the protocol in the Pharmacy Service, anticipating the imminent arrival of SARS-COV-2 vaccines.
Phase 2: Implementation of the protocol, which consists of the following protocol:
1. The vaccine distributor will contact the Pharmacy Service within 30 minutes before the delivery.
2. Upon arrival of the delivery person, the pharmacist will receive the vaccines and both parties will sign a certificate of receipt including: their full name and ID card number, the date and time of receipt, the batch number and expiry date of vials, the date of thawing, as well as the vial temperature upon delivery. This certificate will be kept by the administration staff along with the delivery note.
3. The pharmacist responsible for the reception will store the vials received in the fridge and monitor their temperature.
4. The vaccines will be handed over to the Preventive Medicine Service, the service responsible for administering them, after filling out a certificate of receipt including: date, full name and ID card number of the persons delivering and receiving the vials, number of vials delivered and expiry date. This certificate, duly completed and signed, will be filed by the Pharmacy Service administration staff.
What has been achieved?
An efficient and scheduled protocol was implemented, registering all the certificates of reception, delivery notes, as well as the temperature of the fridges containing the vials.This allowed to identify and correct errors, achieving proper use and traceability of all the vials received, resulting in increased safety for patients.
What next?
This protocol is applicable to Hospital Pharmacy Services responsible for the reception, storage and dispensing of SARS-COV-2 vaccines.