Pharmacy Safe from Disaster
When the hurricanes, storms, floods, and fires of 2018 ravaged through the country, many people thought it could not get any worse. With total damages exceeding $91 billion, it sure was the most active and expensive year for disasters and emergency events. That was until 2020 came along.
No one knows for sure what the total economic loss will be because of Covid-19, but it will more than likely break records. While this news is grim, there are industries that flourished during this time. Independent pharmacies are just one type of business that probably came out on top during the pandemic of Covid-19.
However, this doesn’t mean independent pharmacies had it easy or struggled through the process. If your independent pharmacy came upon issues, it could have been because you didn’t have a plan. Even though no one could have predicted the many issues that came about due to Covid-19, there are still ways you can plan for your independent pharmacy to be disaster-proof.
Planning For a Disaster
Your independent pharmacy should work first on developing an emergency response plan if one is not in place. While this may seem like a simple idea, there are a number of facilities that do not have anything in place. Your independent pharmacy disaster plan should be two-fold. It should address both planned and unplanned emergencies. The thought process should be limiting the impact of these events on hospital operations. You want to focus on providing quality patient care, no matter what.
Supply of Medications
One of the top action plans you can make for your independent pharmacy’s disaster plan is to develop a way to always have access to a reliable supply of medications. For instance, if you are coming upon hurricane season, work closely with your wholesaler to ensure your ability to order a disaster supply of medications far in advance. These medications should include critical drugs, over-the-counter medications and other supplies specific to your area.
Keep in mind that just having an emergency order of medications in place is just the first part. Next, you must make sure you have ample space and refrigeration where necessary. Do you also have access to emergency power, so you do not lose valuable resources? All of these need to be taken into consideration.
Scenarios where patients are evacuated or the power is interrupted can make patient information in the hospital system or automated dispensing cabinet patient list unable to access. This can easily lead to medication and dosing errors. Your independent pharmacy plays an important role in having adequate access to and administration of medications during a disaster.
Have a Plan for the People
A huge game-changer for any independent pharmacy is the people. This means having a plan for the support team in place. What if your staff gets stuck either at home or at work? Do you have a place for staff to shower, extra food to eat and a place to sleep should they get snowed in (among many other disasters preventing workers from leaving their place of employment)?
Back in April of 2020, factory employees actually volunteered to live at work for 28 days to continue to make protective equipment due to Covid-19. Braskem USA makes essential equipment. They offered employees to live at work as they continued to make supplies and it worked out rather well. They had a plan to take care of their employees who did not leave.
Find Your Weak Link
Each state and region of the nation will have its own natural disasters to prepare for. Which is yours? Does your independent pharmacy need to manage snowstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, a combination, etc.? There is no one-size-fits-all disaster relief plan. It is truly up to your specific location and needs.
Additionally, you can learn from the past. Especially when you begin to create an emergency plan for unforeseen circumstances, you can get a sense from the past. With Covid-19 being the most current and extreme disaster we have faced as a nation, now is the time to determine how your independent pharmacy fared. Did your pharmacy have good communication? Were you able to still efficiently place orders with your wholesalers? Did your supply chain break? When you find the weaknesses and figure out an appropriate solution, then your emergency or disaster plan can flourish in the future.
Bottom Line
When all is said and done, there is likely no way to be certain your independent pharmacy will stay full intact during a disaster. However, you can create a plan, find your weaknesses and be prepared for the unknown. You can learn from the past and work towards a bright future.