scholarly journals Avoiding Common Legal Issues Confronted in Pharmacy Practice: Evaluating Prescriptions with PRN Wording and Calling for Refills

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 18-21
Author(s):  
Fred Weissman ◽  
Ettie Rosenberg
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Professional Practice ◽  
Attorney General ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Legal Issues ◽  
Pharmacy Technician ◽  
Concise Review ◽  
Practice Standards ◽  
Controlled Substance

Community pharmacists are cited and/or fined at an alarming rate. Pharmacists can also be charged by the California (CA) Attorney General (AG) or the Board of Pharmacy (BOP) for more severe violations of law and/or professional practice standards, in the form of an Accusation, the administrative equivalent of a civil “complaint.” This article presents a concise review of two pharmacy practice scenarios involving adjudication of refills with implications for practice violations and attempts to clarify best practices in order to meet the expectations of the BOP and avoid problems with a BOP inspection. The scenarios discussed here cover: 1) Use of “as needed” (prn) wording in a prescription (whether in the directions for use or refill context); and 2) Refills of routine and controlled substance prescriptions called in by a pharmacy technician or pharmacy clerk. The authors' identification of best practices in these refill contexts aims to enhance pharmacists' understanding of pharmacy law in order to ensure maximum compliance.

scholarly journals PHARMACISTS COMPLIANCE TO PRACTICE REGULATIONS AND GOOD PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIAN COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Obinna Anyachebelu ◽  
Deborah Aluh
Keyword(s):  
Professional Practice ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Anambra State ◽  
Average Percentage ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Compliance Level ◽  
Practice Standards

Objective: This study was designed to assess community pharmacists’ compliance to rules and regulations guiding the practice of pharmacy in Anambra state, Nigeria.Methods: The study was carried out using a mixed method. In the first phase, adapted and validated questionnaire was used to obtain demographic data and information on some practice standards. While in the second phase, the researcher interviewed the practicing pharmacists on some of the key practice standards followed by observation of the items included in the interview. Statistical analysis was computed using SPSS and minitab versions 23.0 and 14.0 respectively. Descriptive analysis was carried out on the demographic items and other sections of the questionnaire. Quantitative data were analysed by computing frequency tables. Average percentage score for each section of the questionnaire was calculated. One-way ANOVA [with post hoc test—LSD] and Independent-Samples T Test were used to examine significance relationship between demographic variables and the different dimensions of the questionnaire.Results: The response rate to the study questionnaire was 82%. While the questionnaire study had a mean good compliance level to environmental and dispensing practice standards, the interview and observation phase observed poor compliance to some items in this section. The study further observed good implementation level for pharmaceutical care, except for proper documentation. Although the pharmacists’ knowledge of pharmacovigilance activities was observed to be fair, their involvement in the activity was poor.Conclusion: The Overall findings of the study did not record an excellent compliance level to good professional practice by community pharmacists in Anambra state, Nigeria.

scholarly journals Use of professional practice guidance resources in pharmacy: a cross-sectional nationwide survey of pharmacists, intern pharmacists, and pharmacy students

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deanna Mill ◽  
Jacinta L. Johnson ◽  
Kenneth Lee ◽  
Sandra M. Salter ◽  
Danielle D’Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Professional Practice ◽  
Practice Guidelines ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Practice Standards ◽  
Pharmaceutical Society ◽  
Resource Group

Abstract Background Variations in practice are commonplace in healthcare where health professionals, such as pharmacists act as autonomous practitioners. This is evident in simulated patient studies, where pharmacists practice does not meet widely accepted standards for medicines supply or treatment of an ailment. To promote best pharmacy practice a myriad of guidance resources including practice guidelines, codes and standards are produced by professional organisations. These resources provide a framework for pharmacy practice and endeavour to facilitate consistency in provision of pharmacy-based services to consumers. Despite their role in specifying essential pharmacist behaviours, there is limited research exploring if and how these resources are used in practice. Objective To characterise Australian pharmacists’ use of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Code of Ethics, Professional Practice Guidelines and Professional Practice Standards. Methods A cross-sectional, self-administered, electronic survey of registered pharmacists, intern pharmacists and pharmacy students living in Australia was conducted in July 2020. Questions considered use of professional practice resources (by resource group) in the preceding 12 months. Data were analysed descriptively. Results Of 601 responses included in the analysis 462 (76.9%) of respondents were registered pharmacists, 88 (14.6%) pharmacy students and 51 (8.5%) intern pharmacists. Interns and students accessed overarching practice resources, such as the Professional Practice Standards, Code of Ethics and Dispensing Practice Guidelines more frequently than practising pharmacists. Pharmacists accessed professional practice guidelines, such as Practice Guidelines for the Provision of Immunisation Services Within Pharmacy, more often than students. More pharmacists than interns and students indicated that they would access guidelines to resolve practice and patient care issues. All resources except the Professional Practice Standards for Pharmacists (67.4%) were accessed by less than 50% of respondents in the preceding 12-month period. Reasons for not accessing resources varied between participant and resource groups, and generally were due to a lack of awareness of the resource or not considering them necessary for the individual’s practice. Conclusion(s) Access and use patterns for professional practice guidance resources change with experience. Professional organisations responsible for developing resources should consider these patterns when designing and reviewing resources and related policies. To ensure resources are meeting the needs of the profession, students, interns, and pharmacists should be involved in the review of and design of further resources.

scholarly journals Regulating Pharmacy Practice: Analysis of Pharmacy Laws in Ten States

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Alex J. Adams
Keyword(s):  
Professional Practice ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Standards Of Care ◽  
Word Count ◽  
Legislative Action ◽  
Regulatory Burden ◽  
Practice Standards ◽  
Regulatory Model

Background: The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) recently established a task force to help states develop regulations based on “standards of care” rather than “prescriptive rule-based regulation.” This signals a shift in orthodoxy as pharmacy has traditionally been a highly regulated profession. A benchmark report on the pharmacy, nursing, and medical statutes and regulations in Idaho found that pharmacy had a higher overall word count, more overall restrictions, and had to be amended more frequently to keep pace with change. Objective: To identify opportunities to make the transition to a “standard of care” regulatory model in pharmacy law, this manuscript attempts to quantify the regulatory burden for 10 Western U.S. states. Method: The relevant statutes and regulations were gathered from each of the 10 states, and key measures were extracted, including word count, restrictions, exemptions, and the composition. Results: States exhibited wide variation in overall regulatory burden as measured by word count (average of 65,882 words, SD=35,057). The top categories of pharmacy law are: 1) professional practice standards (25,249 ± 16,077 words); 2) facility standards (15,230 ± 10,240 words); and 3) licensing (11,412 ± 6,191 words). More than 65% of all pharmacy regulations are in rule adopted by board of pharmacy rather than in statutes passed by the legislature. Conclusions: States exhibited major variation in total regulatory burden, with the largest contributors to cross-state variation being regulations related to professional practice standards and facility standards. This analysis suggests these two areas should be the primary targets of states looking to decrease regulatory burdens and that regulatory boards have a significant opportunity to remove regulatory burdens even in the absence of legislative action.

scholarly journals Do pharmacy practice standards effectively describe behaviour? Reviewing practice standards using a behavioural specificity framework

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deanna Mill ◽  
Amy Page ◽  
Jacinta Johnson ◽  
Kenneth Lee ◽  
Sandra M. Salter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Professional Practice ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Iterative Process ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Directed Content Analysis ◽  
Pharmacy Profession ◽  
Practice Standards ◽  
Action Context ◽  
Behavioural Specificity

Abstract Background Guidelines and practice standards exist to communicate the conduct and behaviour expected of health care professionals and ensure consistent quality practice. It is important that they describe behaviours explicitly so they can be interpreted, enacted and measured with ease. The AACTT framework specifies behaviour in terms of the: Action to be performed, Actor who performs the action, Context where the action occurs, Target who the action is performed with/for and Time when the action is performed (AACTT). It provides the most up to date framework for specifying behaviours and is particularly relevant to complex behavioural problems that involve sequences of behaviours performed by different people. Behavioural specificity within pharmacy practice standards has not been explored. Aim To determine if behaviours described in the Professional Practice Standards for Australian Pharmacists specify Action, Actor, Context, Target and Time. Methods Two researchers independently reviewed the scope and structure of the practice standards and one extracted action statements (behaviours) verbatim. Through an iterative process, the researchers modified and developed the existing AACTT definitions to operationalise them for application to review of the action statements in the practice standards. The operational definitions, decision criteria and curated examples were combined in a codebook. The definitions were consistently applied through a directed content analysis approach to evaluate all extracted action statements by one researcher. For consistency 20% was independently checked for agreement by a second researcher. Results A novel codebook to apply AACTT criteria to evaluate practice standards was developed. Application of this codebook identified 768 independent behaviours. Of these, 300 (39%) described at least one discrete observable action, none specified an actor, 25 (3%) specified context, 131 (17%) specified target and 88 (11%) specified time. Conclusion(s) The behaviours detailed in practice standards for Australian pharmacists do not consistently specify behaviours in terms of Action, Actor, Context, Target and Time. Developers in the pharmacy profession, and beyond, should consider the behavioural specificity of their documents to improve interpretability, usability and adherence to the behaviours detailed. This also has implications for the development and evaluation of interventions to change such behaviours and improve quality of care.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES OF ARCHITECTURE GRADUATES: PERCEPTIONS FROM GRADUATES, ACADEMICS AND EMPLOYERS IN THE NIGERIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Joy Joshua Maina
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Professional Practice ◽  
Core Competencies ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Professional Competencies ◽  
Architecture Education ◽  
The Core ◽  
Study Results

The clamour for better quality graduates by architects in the Nigerian Construction Industry (NCI) necessitates a look into the core competencies and the adequacy of architecture education in preparing architecture graduates for professional practice. 116 self-report likertscale questionnaires from architecture graduates (2009-2015), academics and employers were analysed to establish core competencies developed by the graduates while in school. Descriptive statistics, t-tests as well as Mann-Whitney tests for differences in ratings were employed for the study. Results reveal the perceived adequacy of architecture education for the future career of graduates from the academic perspective. Graduates were most proficient at design related competencies while AutoCAD was still considered the most important CAD competency for architecture graduates in the NCI. The study recommends more frequent evaluations of competencies for employability in collaboration with industry as well as embracing BIM related software in line with global best practices. Keywords: Academics, Architecture, Employers, Graduates, Professional competencies, NCI

scholarly journals Community Pharmacy Practice in Italy during the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Pandemic: Regulatory Changes and a Cross-Sectional Analysis of Seroprevalence

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2302
Author(s):  
Francesca Baratta ◽  
Giulio Mario Visentin ◽  
Lorenzo Ravetto Ravetto Enri ◽  
Marco Parente ◽  
Irene Pignata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Result ◽  
Serological Test ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
North West ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
Regulatory Changes ◽  
Set Up

Pharmacists in the community and the essential requirement to safeguard their own health have become fundamental since the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The aims of this paper were (I) to analyze the directives provided to pharmacists in 2020 regarding preventative safety measures to be adopted; (II) to determine the number of pharmacists who came into contact with SARS-CoV-2 in North-West Italy and relate this to the adopted preventative measures. The first aim was pursued by conducting a bibliographic research, consulting the principal regulatory sources. The second one was achieved with an observational study by administering a questionnaire and performing a serological test. The various protection measures imposed by national and regional legislation were analyzed. Two hundred and eighty-six pharmacists (about 8% of the invited ones) responded to the survey. Ten pharmacists reported a positive result to the serological test. Of the subjects who presented a positive result, three declared that they had not used a hand sanitizer, while two stated that they had not scheduled the cleaning and decontamination of surfaces. Two interviewees had not set up a system of quota restrictions on admissions. In four cases, a certified cleaning company had decontaminated the premises. The results of our study show that during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the most pressing challenge for community pharmacists has been the protection of staff and clients inside the pharmacy; the challenge to be faced in the near future will probably be the management of new responsibilities.

scholarly journals Time and Motion Study of Influenza Diagnostic Testing in a Community Pharmacy

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald Klepser ◽  
Allison Dering-Anderson ◽  
Jacqueline Morse ◽  
Michael Klepser ◽  
Stephanie Klepser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Pharmacy Technician ◽  
Time And Motion Study ◽  
Time And Motion ◽  
Motion Study ◽  
Time Required

Background: It has been shown that use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) is able to reduce costs and improve the prescribing practice of antivirals (i.e. oseltamivir) among patients with influenza-like illnesses (ILIs). Using existing Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA)-waived RDTs and collaborative practice agreements, similar to those used to allow pharmacists to administer vaccines, it is possible for patients to seek point-of-care treatment for influenza or flu-like symptoms at a local pharmacy. Following a review of the patient's symptoms by a trained pharmacist, the qualified patient is offered an RDT to determine if the influenza virus is the cause of the symptoms. Based on the results of the RDT, the patient is provided with the appropriate treatment as defined by an approved practice agreement. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of incorporating an RDT for influenza into community pharmacy practice. Methods: This time and motion study was conducted at three community pharmacy locations, and a total of eight simulated patient visits were completed utilizing a standardized patient. In addition to determining a total time of the encounter, each simulation was divided into nine timed sub-categories. For data analysis, the time spent in each of the nine sub-categories was assigned to the pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or patient. Time and motion methodologies were used to estimate the total time required to provide the RDT service, to determine the amount of active time required of the pharmacist and pharmacy technician, and to evaluate the ability of the staff to provide the service within its existing workflow. Results: The average total time to complete the entire patient encounter for an influenza assessment utilizing an RDT was 35.5 minutes (± 3.1 minutes). On average, the pharmacist spent 9.4 minutes (± 3 minutes) per encounter or about 26.5% of the entire encounter. When the pharmacy technician collected the vital signs, the pharmacist-required time was reduced to 4.95 minutes (± 2.7 minutes), which was about a 48% reduction. Conclusions: The results indicate that an RDT program for influenza assessment required no more than a modest amount of pharmacist time and could be successfully incorporated into regular workflow with little to no disruption of other activities. As such, this approach to influenza management may be a feasible service for community pharmacies to offer patients. This was especially true if the pharmacy had well-trained technicians on staff that could support the service with collection of patient histories and vital signs.   Type: Original Research

Best Practices for Developing Specialty Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Finnell ◽  
Elizabeth Thomas ◽  
Wendy Nehring ◽  
Kris McLoughlin ◽  
Carol Bickford
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Professional Practice ◽  
Nursing Practice ◽  
Developmental Process ◽  
Specific Area ◽  
Scope Of Practice ◽  
Entire Field ◽  
Standards Of Practice ◽  
Professional Nursing ◽  
Standards Documents

Nursing specialization involves focusing on nursing practice in an identified specific area within the entire field of professional nursing. A defined specialty scope of practice statement and standards of professional practice, with accompanying competencies, are unique to each nursing specialty. These documents help assure continued understanding and recognition of nursing’s diverse professional contributions. The purpose of this article is to demystify the process for specialty nurses who are creating or revising their specialty nursing scope and standards of practice. We provide best practices for the developmental process based on our recently published scope and standards of specialty nursing practice. The conclusion provides strategies to disseminate scope and standards documents to appropriate stakeholders.

scholarly journals A GLOBAL PICTURE OF EXTENDED PHARMACY SERVICES, PERCEPTIONS, AND BARRIERS TOWARD ITS PERFORMANCE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazri Nordin ◽  
Mohamed Azmi Ahmad Hassali, ◽  
Azmi Sarriff
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Database Searching ◽  
Medication Counseling ◽  
Community Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Negative Perceptions

  Objective: The aims of this review were to observe extended services performed in the community pharmacy settings, perceptions among community pharmacists (CPs), general practitioners (GPs), and customers of these extended services and barriers toward its performance.Methods: A literature search was conducted, using Google Scholar as database, searching for full access texts. The inclusive texts fulfilled the inclusion criteria.Results: A total of 22 texts had been systematically reviewed, noting a wide range of extended services performed in community pharmacy settings. Medication counseling or review and promoting health educations were noted as the most extended services performed. It is also noted that CPs indicated that these extended services could establish working relationship with other health-care professionals. However, it is noted that among the barriers toward extended services were lack of knowledge, skills, and time to perform.Conclusion: As a conclusion, the community pharmacy practice is evolving, transforming into more patient-oriented even though there are some negative perceptions among the customers and GPs toward these extended services. Barriers to the performance of these extended services should be intervened.  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document