Introduction. Medicines shortage in the healthcare context represents one of the most impactful issues of recent years, affecting the entire world and all classes of medicines, with potential significant effects on patient health. The first aim of this study is to analyze the impact of shortages on the hospital wards, the second one is to assess the level of awareness among nurses who are responsible for drug procurement. Material and methods. A survey has been developed and was sent via email to nursing coordinators, to collect data on the classes of drugs most affected by shortages. The study has been carried out between November 2022 and January 2023 by hospital pharmacists of one Local Health Unit of the Emilia Romagna (Italy), which includes four facilities. Results. A total of 19 surveys have been completed by 19 Operating Units out of a total of 51 (36 Operating Units from hospital 1 - provincial, 6 Operating Units from hospital 2, 8 Operating Units from hospital 3, 1 Operating Unit from hospital 4). The therapeutic classes most perceived as experiencing shortages in the past year were those related to the nervous system (18 %), respiratory system (18%), dermatological products, and the cardiovascular system (11%), with a total of 31 active ingredients reported. For 10% of the wards, shortage was a significant issue, as they had to wait for the pharmacy to source the medication from suppliers due to the unavailability of any therapeutic alternatives. Conclusions. The survey results highlight that shortage of a specific medication is not a general issue, but rather a critical issue which arises in relation to the use of a specific medication in a particular clinical setting. The perception of drug shortages changes in relation to the ward and clinical activity. Often, physicians and nurses may not be aware of the challenges because they are mitigated by the work of pharmacists. The next step for hospital pharmacy will be to optimize the communication system by sending regular alerts indicating shortages and unavailability, along with proposals for alternative drugs, if available, or compounded preparations. This is aimed at further reducing the impact of this issue in hospital wards.
Carenze di medicinali. La percezione del fenomeno da parte del personale sanitario in una realtà ospedaliera italiana / Confalonieri, C., Zovi, A., Ferraiuolo, A., Orcesi, A., Tansini, M., Contini, A., Cattadori, E., Cristina Granelli, M.. - In: GIORNALE ITALIANO DI FARMACIA CLINICA. - ISSN 1120-3749. - 37:3(2023), pp. 90-103. [10.1721/4105.41021]
Carenze di medicinali. La percezione del fenomeno da parte del personale sanitario in una realtà ospedaliera italiana
Corrado Confalonieri;Arianna Orcesi;Evelina Cattadori;
2023-01-01
Abstract
Introduction. Medicines shortage in the healthcare context represents one of the most impactful issues of recent years, affecting the entire world and all classes of medicines, with potential significant effects on patient health. The first aim of this study is to analyze the impact of shortages on the hospital wards, the second one is to assess the level of awareness among nurses who are responsible for drug procurement. Material and methods. A survey has been developed and was sent via email to nursing coordinators, to collect data on the classes of drugs most affected by shortages. The study has been carried out between November 2022 and January 2023 by hospital pharmacists of one Local Health Unit of the Emilia Romagna (Italy), which includes four facilities. Results. A total of 19 surveys have been completed by 19 Operating Units out of a total of 51 (36 Operating Units from hospital 1 - provincial, 6 Operating Units from hospital 2, 8 Operating Units from hospital 3, 1 Operating Unit from hospital 4). The therapeutic classes most perceived as experiencing shortages in the past year were those related to the nervous system (18 %), respiratory system (18%), dermatological products, and the cardiovascular system (11%), with a total of 31 active ingredients reported. For 10% of the wards, shortage was a significant issue, as they had to wait for the pharmacy to source the medication from suppliers due to the unavailability of any therapeutic alternatives. Conclusions. The survey results highlight that shortage of a specific medication is not a general issue, but rather a critical issue which arises in relation to the use of a specific medication in a particular clinical setting. The perception of drug shortages changes in relation to the ward and clinical activity. Often, physicians and nurses may not be aware of the challenges because they are mitigated by the work of pharmacists. The next step for hospital pharmacy will be to optimize the communication system by sending regular alerts indicating shortages and unavailability, along with proposals for alternative drugs, if available, or compounded preparations. This is aimed at further reducing the impact of this issue in hospital wards.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
