Pharmacy Developments in the Role of OPSI Unit for COVID-19 Patients

Abstract

Purposes : To develop the pharmacy service model for caring of COVID-19 patients and develop the role of pharmacies to be enrolled in the NHSO service unit and to assess workload and drug costs.

Study Design : Action research

Materials and Methods : This project was implemented in 5 different pharmacies registered as patient care service unit and collected data on providing care services for patients with COVID-19 from March 21, 2020, to October 31, 2022 to assess the workload and cost of drugs. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.

Main findings : (1) 5 pharmacies participated in the development. There were service outcomes a total of 856 patients were screened for risk and symptom assessment, 153 were advised to be hospitalized, and 703 patients were admitted to OPSI and enrolled in the A-med care system. 681 cases were assessed within 24 hours, 632 cases were monitored for drug use evaluation after 72 hours and 348 cases were followed up on drug use assessments during days 4-7. Patients recovered from illness 323 with negative ATK self-test results and 288 cases received a certificate of quarantine from the pharmacist and 2 cases were referred. (2) Pharmaceutical services, there were 703 recipients of the service, with an average age of 31 years. 621 cases received the drug within 24 hours and 116 patients showed improvement in their symptoms after 72 hours of follow-up, 4-7 days found that 433 cases improved and 15 cases were affected by drug side effects. Drug use problems were resolved in 24 cases. 2 cases were referred and found 4 cases re-infected

Conclusion and recommendations : Pharmacies can be developed as service unit to provide care for COVID-19 patients. Therefore, the model should be applied in the care of patients with other diseases