Analysis of Activities undertaken By Ward-Based Clinical Pharmacy Technicians during Patient Hospital Journey

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies recognise insufficient time as an obstacle to pharmacists expanding their clinical-based activities and services. For such a reason, the role of well-trained ward-based clinical pharmacy technicians (CPTs) is to work as an integral part of the pharmacy team to achieve the best patient outcomes and medicines optimisation, releasing pharmacist time to complete more complex clinical-related activities. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate quantitatively the range and extent of daily activities undertaken by CPTs during a patient’s hospital journey. METHOD: A prospective-based study has been designed. All daily working services and activities undertaken by ward-based CPTs within a 450-bed Acute District General hospital were quantitatively collected and documented. Data were collected from five medical, two surgical and one cardiology wards of 30 beds in each over a period of 2 weeks for each ward representing a total of 70 working days (14 weeks, excluding weekends). RESULTS: Results showed the breakdown of seven different ward-based activities throughout a typical working day with the main working load being reviews of the patients’ medication charts in order to supply new medicines and refer medicines-related issues to the ward pharmacist, with an average number reviewed of (23.17±0.85) representing 77.23% of the total patients in a 30-bed ward. The CPTs’ highest workload was on Mondays and Fridays, mainly during the morning working hours (09:00–12:00). Also, statistically significant differences (p<0.05; Kruskal-Wallis test) existed between the workload of the three different ward specialties (medical, surgical and cardiology) in five clinical activities out of seven undertaken by CPT per day. CONCLUSION: CPTs are completing more than seven different ward pharmacy-related activities which enhance medicines optimisation, medicines management and patient care. They are a valuable resource carrying out many roles which were previously completed by junior pharmacists. Their prioritising of patients for review ensures pharmacists focus their efforts on the most vulnerable patients

NI GENERAL PRACTICE PHARMACISTS VIEWS ON INTRODUCING PHARMACY TECHNICIANS TO SUPPORT OPTIMISATION OF CLINICAL PHARMACY SERVICES

Background: It is widely acknowledged that the healthcare system needs to evolve and seek innovative solutions to service provision. In terms of development of the pharmacy workforce, there is limited literature available on the scope for the introduction of pharmacy technicians (PTs) to General Practitioner (GP) practices in Northern Ireland (NI).Aim: This study investigates the views and attitudes of NI General Practice Pharmacists (GPPs) on the introduction of PTs to the GP sector to optimise clinical pharmacy services and suggest a possible skill mix model for the GP pharmacy workforce.Method: Data was collected via an online questionnaire comprising of three sections which was distributed via the Lead of NI GP Federation over a 2-week period. This was distributed to all GPPs working within the 17 GP Federations in NI. Potential roles for PTs were identified to suggest a skill mix model.Results: GPPs undertake approximately 20 different tasks on a regular basis, 71% of GPPs felt PTs would be capable of undertaking some GPP tasks. Such tasks included: administration roles, medication reconciliation, clinical audits,counselling patients and vaccination services. Furthermore, 63% of GPPs felt PTs would help support optimisation of clinical pharmacy services within the GP sector.Conclusion: The study concluded that there is an obvious need for expansion of the GP pharmacy workforce. The majority of GPPs in NI had a positive view towards introducing PTs. The introduction of PTs has the potential to optimiseclinical pharmacy services, improve patient outcomes, ensure the best use of staff resources and result in greater job satisfaction for staff members working within the primary care sector

Implementation of Antimicrobial Stewardship in a District Hospital in the Ashanti Region of Ghana Using a Health Partnership Model

Commonwealth Partnerships for Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) uses a health partnership model to establish AMS in Commonwealth countries. The University Hospital of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partnership with Ulster University, in Northern Ireland undertook an AMS project from November 2021 to May 2022. We report on the implementation and its effect on antibiotic use and infections management at the University Hospital. The Global-Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) protocol was used to assess antibiotics use at the hospital at the beginning, midpoint and end of the project. Feedback on each PPS was given to staff to inform behaviour change and improve antibiotic prescribing. Antibiotic use reduced from 65% at baseline to 59.7% at the end of the project. The rate of health-associated infections also reduced from 17.5% at baseline to 6.5%. In addition, the use of antibiotics belonging to the WHO Access group at the hospital was 40% initially but increased to 50% at the project endpoint. Culture and antibiotic susceptibility requests increased from the beginning of the project from 111 total requests to 330 requests over 7 months. The AMS model implemented improved antibiotic use as well as requests for culture and susceptibility test which must be sustained

Assessment of burnout, resilience, and thriving among academic health professionals: findings from an international study

Introduction: Burnout, resilience, and thriving significantly impact academics, particularly in health professions, where responsibilities are extensive. This study aimed to explore these constructs among academic health professionals, examining sociodemographic and work-related factors influencing these outcomes.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among academic health professionals via web-based professional networks from August 2022 to February 2023. Validated tools were used, and descriptive and inferential statistics were applied.Results: 505 participants were included, predominantly female (63%), with a mean age of 38.15 ± 9.6 years. High burnout was reported by 10.9%, 13.7% experienced exhaustion, and 6.3% were disengaged. Resilience and thriving were moderate at 59.2 and 51.9%, respectively. Age correlated negatively with burnout (r = −0.131, p = 0.003) but positively with resilience (r = 0.178, p &lt; 0.001). Females reported higher exhaustion (p = 0.014), while males showed greater resilience (p = 0.016). Instructors exhibited lower resilience compared to assistant professors (p &lt; 0.001) and associate professors (p &lt; 0.001). Those at public universities reported higher exhaustion than those at private universities (p &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: Variable levels of burnout, resilience, and thriving were observed among academic health professionals, influenced by sociodemographic and work-related factors. Interventions targeting resilience and thriving may mitigate burnout risk and enhance engagement among academics in health professions