Guide for the efficient and safe delivery of Telepharmacy

Abstract

Objectives

This study aims to develop a guide establishing the requirements for developing and implementing telepharmacy in Hospital Pharmacy Services (HPS). A secondary objective is providing a reference frame to promote and allocate the necessary resources.

Methods

The project was developed in 5 phases from May-October 2021: (1) constitution of a working team; (2) literature review; (3) semi-structured interviews using the nominal group technique (with direct communications between experts and face-to-face discussion); (4) development of online workshops to raise awareness and debate each of the aspects considered essential in the document; (5) preparation of the final document and validation by the working group.

Results

As a result of this methodology, the Guide for the Efficient and Safe Provision of Telepharmacy was obtained. This Guide proposes that pharmacists follow a Strategic Plan to develop a new telepharmacy program in an HPS under quality standards. This Strategic Plan has been structured in 4 organizational phases in which the requirements or resources necessary for its implementation are established: Strategy Phase, Planning Phase, Action Phase, and Phase of monitoring results and continuous improvement.

Conclusions

This study provides a practical guide for hospital pharmacists and managers to develop and implement telepharmacy in an HPS with quality guarantees. The Guide provides the pharmacists collective with a reference framework to promote and allocate the necessary resources in an increasingly complex healthcare environment where telepharmacy is an essential strategy for sustainability.