Hospital Experiences Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a National Pulse Survey

  • Unique Paper ID: 149495
  • Volume: 6
  • Issue: 12
  • PageNo: 614-620
  • Abstract:
  • As the coronavirus spreads throughout the country and the supply of qualified healthcare providers becomes limited, pharmacists are at the front-line providing essential patient care services during this public health crisis. We applaud the ongoing efforts of the federal government, states, and the private sector to educate, contain, prevent, mitigate, test, treat, and respond to the devastating COVID-19 pandemic that is plaguing our nation and the world. As front-line providers and highly trusted and trained healthcare professionals, pharmacists play a critical role in patient care and public health. Pharmacists around the country are serving their communities and helping patients cope with this pandemic. However, there is much more that pharmacists can do for their patients and ease the burden on the healthcare system if additional authorities are granted and barriers to access for pharmacist patient care services are removed.Pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare providers and the first touchpoint of patient engagement with the healthcare system. In fact, 90% of all Americans live within five miles of a community pharmacy. In rural and underserved communities and in areas experiencing physician shortages, pharmacists may be the only healthcare provider that is immediately accessible to patients. As of May 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 309,000 employed licensed pharmacists in the United States and its territories. Pharmacists practice in community pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, physician offices, long term care and other settings to provide patient care.

Cite This Article

  • ISSN: 2349-6002
  • Volume: 6
  • Issue: 12
  • PageNo: 614-620

Hospital Experiences Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a National Pulse Survey

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