Pharmacists Say They Can't Do Their Jobs Well, Mistakes Can End Careers: CNN

[appalachiablue]

- 'Mistakes at work happen. For pharmacists, it can end their career,' CNN, Dec, 17, 2023. 🥼

New York, CNN
—
It’s every pharmacist’s worst fear: To come home from a busy day at work and realize that they failed to consult with a patient about a potentially dangerous interaction, or filled a prescription incorrectly.

Workers at chain pharmacies across the US have told CNN that increased demand for prescriptions, shots and other services without sufficient staff to fulfill those orders has made it nearly impossible for the workers to do their jobs properly and has created potentially unsafe conditions for customers.

Mistakes happen, especially when workers are burnt out and busy. But when a pharmacist errs, the implications can be both legal – pharmacists can be sued for malpractice – and lethal. Errors can cost lives, tie pharmacists up in prolonged court battles and cost them their livelihoods. A safe workplace: A 2022 National Community Pharmacists Association survey showed that nearly 75% of respondents felt they did not have enough time to safely perform clinical duties and patient care.

It’s worries like these that led some pharmacists to walk out of CVS and Walgreens stores pharmacies this autumn, workers told CNN. Stores increasingly operate with just one pharmacist behind the counter for a 12-hour shift. “Pharmacists are so overwhelmed and worried that they’re going to make a mistake. It’s so easy to make a mistake under those conditions,” said Shane Jerominski, a pharmacist and labor advocate who spent a decade working at chain pharmacies including Walgreens and CVS...
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/12/17/economy/pharmacists-cvs-walgreens-errors/index.html

[FarPoint]

1. A problem that also ..

has plagued Nursing fo 20 to 30 years ....Welcome to the medical business model

[appalachiablue]

3. Ik, there are problems here mounting for decades,

worse than in other advanced countries due to the profit drive and greed. Real decline for the US.

Teachers, postal workers and govt. employees are overworked and underpaid so those govt. functions can be privatized for profit. It's a disgrace.

[hlthe2b]

2. There used to be a checks and balance w pharmacists and physicians--with both checking interactions,

dosing, and contraindications. Sadly, that is occurring less and less with burnout, overwork, and the politics of working in many areas of health care now. Some, but not all of my colleagues at least check new drugs against known interactions with constantly updated apps on their phones--but that is assuming one knows all the drugs (and nutritional supplements) a patient might be on. The same challenges exist for pharmacists, despite their computerized data at their fingertips.

Those patients who see many physicians, shop multiple pharmacies for prescription drugs or, again, take a lot of nutritional supplements, are at especially higher risk. As difficult and time-consuming as it might be, many need an informed patient advocate (family member willing to stay on top of things or another person) to intercede on their behalf. Few have that, though. (And no, HIPAA need not be a barrier, if the advocate obtains the proper permissions from the patient).

"Best health care system in the world..." Maybe for a fortunate few. sigh...

[appalachiablue]

4. Good comments, the responsibiity and stress

for many in health care must be daunting, esp in recent years from Covid and the high pressure business practices and culture.

I was a patient advocate for my mom and kept on top of everything. I made time and was glad to coordinate her care. Not everyone can do that unfortunately, esp with as hyper driven as the US has become.

[global1]

5. Recently I Had To Pick Up A Prescription At My Local CVS.......

When I approached the pharmacy - the line of patients/customers numbered 7. They were either waiting to pick up a prescription like I was or they had new prescriptions which needed to be filled.

There was only one pharmacist on duty at the time. She was accompanied by one pharmacy technician or apprentice. Both were busy - tending to one patient apiece. The pharmacist was stationed behind a computer screen either busily entering a new prescription; checking on refills; having to fill out a screen of Rx insurance info - to please the insurance companies.

In the background there was the incessant and constant announcement every few minutes over a loudspeaker in the pharmacy that there were 6 calls on hold waiting to speak to someone in the pharmacy.

Interesting the call volume announcements kept on piling up until there were at least 11 patients on hold.

Talk about stress. How would you like to be responsible for all those patients, prescriptions, calls, questions, etc - while giving out instructions to each of those patients as to how they should take their meds?

It is insane that these chain pharmacy companies run their pharmacies with such a poor staffing arrangement. It's no wonder the pharmacists are under stress and susceptible to making errors.

The pressure that these chains put on their employees is enormous and their should be standards set as to how many employees need to be working in such busy pharmacies.

The only thing the management of these chains care about is their profit.

And its not like their is a shortage of pharmacists. In fact - there are more pharmacy schools in the country now then there were just 20 years ago or so.
If the chains can't hire enough employees to safely manage their pharmacies - it's because either they don't pay enough or the word has gotten out that the pressure is just too much to bear working for them and they would be putting their careers in peril.

I ask you - thinking about what the employees of that pharmacy faced while I was waiting to be taken care of by them - could you handle the pressure that they were under?

[BigmanPigman]

6. My CVS was so low on staff that they stopped filling Rx after 10 PM.

The lines were always long, waiting on hold for 1 1/2 hours, and it was obviously that the few remaining staff were so overworked I was scared about correct refills, etc. This CVS is about 3 blocks away from two major hospitals and medical facilities. All of my doctors' staffs were aware about the problem and work with me to get refills. Of course they were always busy so why would the company do that?!? I wrote several letters to CVS since I felt so sorry for the staff. About a 9 months ago it improved a lot! More staff, open 24/7, no long waits, etc. I don't know how many people complained but I think enough did to change policy at that location.

[appalachiablue]

7. Super post, I get it, thanks. The overwork, demands

and stress are horrible, driven by our harsh, profit driven corporate culture. I know it's a nightmare for the pharmacists, assistants and clerks. I couldn't do it.

[global1]

8. Your Right About The Profit Driven Corporate Culture - But Some Responsiblity Should Fall To.....

the respective State Boards of Pharmacy.

The State Boards could promulgate rules for these 'profit driven corporations' in terms of the safe number of employees needed to run a modern day pharmacy with the new responsibilities that are required of the pharmacist.

The new and complicated pharmaceuticals being pumped into the market that the pharmacist has to be schooled in regarding dosing; interactions; critical instructions; contraindications; etc.

The reliance on computerized technology to make sure that every prescription is entered correctly with name, dosage, instructions, refill instructions and all the requirements the chain puts on them per their chain specific corporate rules.

The extra work that needs to be done with respect to complying to the various requirements put on by the insurance companies or government sponsored health care coverage programs.

The extra duties that the pharmacist is now taking on in light of administering vaccines (covid, flu, pneumonia, RSV, etc).

The State Board of Pharmacy by regulating the corporate chains - can assure the safety of the patient - in situations where the chain is only worried about maximizing profits by minimizing their payrolls and skimping on employees that man the pharmacy.

Patients - need to contact their State Boards of Pharmacy and inform them of their concerns for their safety. The State Boards of Pharmacy need to crack down on these chains.

The chains will respond when they learn that they will be cited, fined or shut down unless they man their pharmacies for the safety of their patients. Suddenly these chains will find the money they need for employees or they will lose business.