A Systematic Approach to Providing COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Community by Student Pharmacists.

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students and faculty at University of California, San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SSPPS) were highly motivated to support local and regional COVID-19 vaccination efforts, which began in January 2021. A system was created to streamline requests for SSPPS volunteers, maximize opportunities for student learning and engagement, and ensure adherence to pharmacy practice standards and laws in the process of assisting with vaccination efforts in the community. An existing model for approving student organized events was modified to fit additional needs for COVID-19 vaccination efforts by SSPPS students and faculty. For each event, students completed a standardized form containing event details including location, date, time, pharmacist preceptors, and duties. All requests were screened by designated SSPPS faculty to ensure student safety, availability, and feasibility. After each event, students and faculty completed a unique online form designed to track volunteer hours. Students received course credit for volunteering and completing a standardized self-reflection. Comments from students' reflections (n = 74) were analyzed to identify common challenges. Between 11 January 2021 and 31 May 2021, SSPPS faculty and students volunteered for 245 shifts, totaling 1346 h. Students encountered several logistical challenges, such as availability of vaccines. The system utilized allowed for SSPPS students and faculty to play an integral role in COVID-19 vaccination efforts throughout the region.

Evaluation of an Outpatient Pharmacist Consult Service at a Large Academic Medical Center.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a novel outpatient pharmacist consult service in a large academic medical center. SETTING: Four outpatient pharmacies that are part of a large academic medical center. METHODS: An outpatient pharmacist consult order was created and embedded in the electronic medical record (EMR). Medical center providers utilized this consult order when identifying patients in need of specific services provided by outpatient pharmacists. Descriptive data about each individual consult was collected including number completed, type of service, and duration. Rate of accepted pharmacy recommendations and patient cost savings were also evaluated. A survey was administered at the completion of the study period to assess provider and pharmacist satisfaction with the service. Patient demographic information was collected for those who had a documented completed consult. RESULTS: A total of 193 consults were completed: 137 immunizations, 37 care affordability, 15 education, 3 polypharmacy and 1 OTC recommendation. 89% of completed consults took pharmacists 20 minutes or less to complete. Of completed care affordability consults (n=31), 55% of patients saved between $100 - $500 per medication fill. Of providers who completed a survey and utilized the service (n=12), 83.3% were extremely satisfied and 16.7% were satisfied with it. The provider acceptance rate of pharmacist's recommendations was 74%. CONCLUSION: Implementation of an outpatient pharmacist consult service provided an alternative method for the utilization of pharmacist provided MTM services in outpatient pharmacies at a large academic medical center. The service was well received by both providers and pharmacists.

Transferring Key Success Factors from Ambulatory Care into the Community Pharmacy in the United States.

In the United States, pharmacists' scope of practice continues to expand, with increasing opportunities for pharmacists in all practice settings to enhance health in society. In ambulatory care, pharmacists remain integral members on the healthcare team and have demonstrated positive impacts on patient care. Sharing similar characteristics as pharmacists in the community setting, a deeper look into common elements of a successful ambulatory care practice that can be applied in the community pharmacy setting is warranted. Key success factors identified from ambulatory care include (1) maximizing a pharmacist's unique knowledge base and skill set, (2) forming collaborations with physicians and other providers, (3) demonstrating outcomes and value, and (4) maintaining sustainability. Opportunities exist for pharmacists in the community setting to utilize these success factors when developing, implementing, and/or expanding direct patient care services that improve accessibility to quality care and population health.

Patient Screenings for Preconception Health Interventions at a Community Pharmacy.

Preconception health refers to health before pregnancy and involves addressing risk factors that can negatively impact either a patient or future pregnancy. Pharmacists can play an essential role in screening for and managing patients' risk factors to optimize pregnancy outcomes. The primary objective of this study is to determine whether preconception health screenings in community pharmacy settings identify opportunities for preconception health services, particularly pharmacy-based interventions. The secondary objectives are to describe the preconception health status of community pharmacy patients and their interest in receiving preconception care services by a clinical pharmacist in a community pharmacy setting. Two independent pharmacies conducted a pilot project where people were invited to complete a health screening form that evaluated their preconception health. Participants received a personalized health report with an invitation to meet with the clinical pharmacist for services related to identified opportunities, such as contraception and immunizations. Retrospective analysis was conducted for data collected from 43 women during the patient screening effort in three community pharmacy settings (two independent community pharmacy locations and one neighborhood pharmacy outreach event). Nearly all participants (n = 42, 98%) had at least one opportunity identified to receive preconception care services, with the majority related to their alcohol use (60%). A majority of participants (56%) indicated an interest in learning more about preconception services offered at the pharmacy, but only 19% wanted to schedule an appointment with a pharmacist. Thus, there is an apparent need and opportunity for utilization of preconception health services at the pharmacy.

Pharmacists on the front-line of solving a public health crisis: Increasing access to medications for opioid use disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the advantages of pharmacist involvement to increase the accessibility of medication treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). SUMMARY: OUD continues to be a mounting public health crisis in the United States. Medications for OUD treatment have been reported to be safe and effective. Yet, underutilization and poor accessibility remain critical challenges. As the most accessible health care provider, pharmacists have the capability to help overcome these barriers and positively affect patient care. Preliminary strategies have been documented in the United States and abroad that can serve as a blueprint for expanded pharmacist involvement. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists must expand efforts to increase patient accessibility to medications for OUD and become a key part of the solution to this epidemic.