Pandemic Stresses and Patient Safety | Locked On Pharmacy

We have heard loud concerns of overwhelmed pharmacists in busy pharmacies. We have also heard of potential pharmacist protests to their employers in the form of a sickout. Pharmacy workforce issues that lead to frustration and burnout are very real. They have been building for some time, but they have become more acute with the stressors brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Workplace conditions have pushed many pharmacists and pharmacy teams to the brink of despair. Pharmacy burnout is a significant patient safety issue. It is impacting patients today with delayed prescription fulfillment, unacceptable waits for vaccines and testing, and potential errors due to high volume, long hours and pressure to meet performance metrics. Well-being APhA and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations developed the Pharmacy Workplace and Well-being Reporting (PWWR), a safe, confidential, and anonymous space for pharmacy personnel to report positive and negative workplace experiences. PWWR reports create a pool of aggregated data that will be used to influence and educate our pharmacy community and leaders—including those who can do something about it – on meaningful and actionable changes. The experiences and situations submitted via PWWR help tell a collective, powerful story that can spark change and improvement in well-being, delivery of care, and patient safety in pharmacies. APhA unwaveringly supports our pharmacists and the work of pharmacy teams as they seek overdue action from employers to improve eroding workplace conditions. However, we strongly believe that actions such as a sickout where pharmacists would walk away from direct patient care is not an appropriate action. A profession that is rightly demanding action to keep themselves and their patients safe should not compromise public welfare by abandoning patients who rely on them. Serving patients and ensuring patient safety is core to the profession of pharmacy. Pharmacists are caregivers, and we must address the fundamental issues causing burnout and frustration. The public, decision-makers, and regulators must be educated about, and recognize, the seriousness of our pharmacy teams’ negative well-being and the need for both additional resources and realistic expectations to safely provide patient care services. The value within our practices are the individuals who serve the health care needs of their patients and communities. Pharmacists are committed to serving these needs and have demonstrated this commitment throughout the pandemic. However, they cannot sustain this commitment without immediate changes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices