Studies from Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the Area of COVID-19 Described (From Natural Disaster To Pandemic: a Health-system Pharmacy Rises To the Challenge)

2021 JAN 29 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- Investigators publish new report on Coronavirus - COVID-19. According to news reporting out of Nashville, Tennessee, by NewsRx editors, research stated, “This report describes a health-system pharmacy’s response to a natural disaster while staff members simultaneously prepared for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. By detailing our experience, we hope to help other institutions that are current facing or could encounter similar crises.”

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, “In early March 2020, a tornado destroyed the health system’s warehouse for storage of most clinical supplies, including personal protective equipment and fluids. The pharmacy purchasing team collaborated with suppliers and manufacturers to recover losses and establish alternative storage areas. Days later, the pharmacy department was forced to address the impending COVID-19 pandemic. Key elements of the COVID-19 response included reducing the potential for virus exposure for patients and staff; overcoming challenges in sourcing of staff, personal protective equipment, and medications; and changing care delivery practices to maintain high-quality patient care while maximizing social distancing. The pharmacy department also created distance learning opportunities for 70 pharmacy students on rotations. After an initial plan, ongoing needs include adjustment in patient care activities if significant staff losses occur, when and how to resume clinical activities, and how to best utilize the resources accumulated. Elements of practice changes implemented to reduce COVID-19 threats to patients and pharmacy personnel have proven beneficial and will be further evaluated for potential continuation.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “The pharmacy department’s efforts to respond to a natural disaster and unprecedented pandemic have proven successful to this point and have illuminated several lessons, including the necessity of cohesive department communication, staff flexibility, prioritization of teamwork, and external collaboration.”

This research has been peer-reviewed.

For more information on this research see: From Natural Disaster To Pandemic: a Health-system Pharmacy Rises To the Challenge. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 2020;77(23):1986-1993. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy can be contacted at: Oxford Univ Press Inc, Journals Dept, 2001 Evans Rd, Cary, NC 27513, USA.

Our news journalists report that additional information may be obtained by contacting Autumn D. Zuckerman, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Dept. of Pharmaceutical Services, Nashville, TN 37232, United States. Additional authors for this research include Pratish C. Patel, Mark Sullivan, Molly Knostman, Michael O’Neal, Andrea Bryant, Donna K. Torr, Bob Lobo, Grayson Peek, Tara Kelley, James Manfred, Jason Tomichek, Garrett Crothers, Rusty Catlin, Hannah E. Brumagin, Jim Hayman, Amy Potts, Elizabeth Humphreys and Leslee Hughes.

The direct object identifier (DOI) for that additional information is: https://doi.org/10.1093/ajhp/zxaa180. This DOI is a link to an online electronic document that is either free or for purchase, and can be your direct source for a journal article and its citation.

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