*Disclaimer: This article was published in 2020 and reflects the information available at that time.
PDL would like to express its support for pharmacists playing a vital role in assisting the community at this time. We understand that many pharmacists and staff are working extremely hard and under significant pressure to ensure their patients receive the best possible care and support.
As an organisation focused on risk management we understand the current increased demands and workload can lead to a greater risk of error or complaint. The challenges of dealing with the demand created by the emergence of the COVID-19 virus will be ongoing and PDL would like to offer its support and advice to members to minimise risk for patients and pharmacists.
Increased workloads and demands can lead to physical and mental exhaustion and an increased risk of incident. Contingencies to manage workload and staffing levels are vital at this time. Resources to remind the public of the need for respect and patience are available and include the PDL rights and responsibilities poster. Such resources also reassure staff they are supported in times of stress or conflict.
PDL reiterates that pharmacy owners, pharmacists and assistants need to refer to and follow the advice of the government and representative organisations regarding the response to COVID-19. There is a large amount of information available which can lead to its own challenges. PDL suggests pharmacists utilise material provided by representative organisations, government agencies and banner groups. Many banner groups have filtered information for their members to ensure the most important information is available such as signage, protocols and support material.
Recommendations include the use of signage to encourage clients to be understanding and respectful, to follow hygiene and social contact guidelines and be prepared to collect prescriptions later instead of congregating in pharmacies. Utilising technology such as SMS and online prescription ordering systems, electronic prescriptions were available and legislated (subject to State regulation) and using barcode scanners for all dispensing activities reduces stress and risk.
The following links offer excellent resources and materials for pharmacists about COVID-19:
- The Pharmacy Guild of Australia COVID-19 information/update
- Pharmaceutical Society of Australia COVID-19 information for pharmacists
- SHPA COVID-19 information hub
- The Commonwealth Department of Health COVID-19 resources for health professionals
We would encourage pharmacists and staff to follow policies and procedures as our reporting data indicates that errors are more likely when distraction, increased workload or shortcuts occur. Due to the unavailability of many medicines, pharmacists are reminded to use the computer’s generic equivalent function when substituting brands, if permitted, as errors can occur when switching. PDL recommends pharmacists avoid providing multiple supplies of any medicines, unless absolutely necessary, as this practice may increase the risk for patients if an error was made in the supply, as well as potentially contributing to medicine shortages. The recent announcement by the Federal Minister for Health limiting supplies of certain medicines supports pharmacists faced with this demand.
PDL is also aware of reports of email scams and phishing attacks linked to fake COVID-19 communications. To minimize the risk of cyber security breaches, be alert to this risk and only handle communications from trusted sources. Data breaches are more likely to occur at times of stress or distraction.
The strain on pharmacists and assistants is also likely to increase with the commencement of the influenza vaccination season. Forward planning to ensure enough staff are available for the extra demand is important and thorough preparations should be made for the vaccination service. The PDL Practice Alert “Vaccination 2020 – are you prepared?” is available on the member portal for further information.
For immediate advice and incident support, call PDL on 1300 854 838 to speak with one of our professional Officers. We are here to support our pharmacist members 24/7, Australia-wide.
You can also contact the Pharmacists’ Support Service on 1300 244 910 for peer support related to the demands of being a pharmacist in Australia during this challenging time.tio
