Disaster Preparedness Amongst Emergency Pharmacists for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Purpose

The aim of this study is to assess the level of preparedness of pharmacists working in the emergency department at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) for any emergency disasters that may take place during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ by evaluating their awareness (A), attitude (A), and readiness (R).

Methods

A cross-sectional quantitative observational study was conducted through a web-based survey. The survey was distributed among emergency pharmacists working in general hospitals under HMC. The questionnaire was composed of three major domains assessing awareness, attitude, readiness, as well as an additional domain to collect the participants' demographics. Student's t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation, and linear regression were used with an alpha level of 0.05.

Results

Most pharmacists working in the emergency departments at HMC had high levels of awareness (76.9%), attitude (92%), and readiness (53.8%) for any emergency disasters that may occur during the FIFA World Cup 2022. Nonetheless, almost half of the respondents reported moderate level of readiness for emergency events. Pharmacists with >10 years' practice experience had significantly higher AAR score compared to those with <5 years' experience (P = 0.002). Significant direct positive correlations were found among the 3 AAR parameters (P < 0.05). Attitude was found to be a significant predictor of readiness (P < 0.05). A model composed of attitude and awareness could predict 12% of readiness score.

Conclusion

Emergency pharmacists at HMC have high level of preparedness for any emergency disaster event during the World Cup. Future research should focus on the development of theory-based action framework for pharmacy departments during mass gathering events.

Cefepime-Induced Neutropenia: A Case Report and Literature Review

Cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin utilized in treatment of multiple Gram-negative and -positive infections. The current report presents a case of 50-year-old man admitted with epidural abscess who developed neutropenia after prolonged use of cefepime. The neutropenia developed after 24 days of cefepime treatment and resolved 4 days after cessation of cefepime. Assessment of the patient's profile indicated no other possible cause for neutropenia. A literature review was done, and is presented herein to compare and identify the pattern of cefepime-induced neutropenia in 15 patients. The data presented in this article highlight that despite its rarity, cefepime-induced neutropenia should be considered by clinicians when planning a prolonged course of cefepime.

Patient Safety Education in Entry to Practice Pharmacy Programs: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize, summarize, and evaluate the quality of extant quantitative and qualitative literature related to patient safety in pharmacy education. This systematic review included literature that targeted the content, delivery, and outcomes of patient safety in addition to literature that explored the perspectives of pharmacy students and faculty on how patient safety is integrated within their curricula.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted. Four electronic databases were searched for articles published between 2000 and 2019: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ScienceDirect. Selection was based on prespecified criteria and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Two independent reviewers selected articles, extracted data, and assessed articles' qualities using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus or by consulting a third reviewer. Descriptive synthesis of data was performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-five eligible articles were included. The majority of studies originated from United States (n = 15). Educational content involved principles of patient safety, and identification, disclosure, and management of medication errors. There was a lack of standardization on how patient safety is incorporated into the pharmacy curricula. Eleven articles (64%) were interprofessional in nature, delivered as a patient safety course (n = 6), through simulation (n = 3), as seminars (n = 1), or as part of student experiential learning (n = 1). Of the 7 articles discussing delivery of patient safety through courses or modules, 4 (57%) were offered as elective courses. Students' perceptions and attitudes significantly improved after all patient safety interventions, reflecting the importance of addressing patient safety in education to ensure optimum future practice.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review demonstrated how patient safety education was incorporated into pharmacy programs in terms of the content and methods of delivery. It was promising to see patient safety content being delivered interprofessionally and in experiential education. Students and faculty regarded implementing patient safety in education as an essential act to meet future work demands. Longitudinal studies to assess the long-term impact of incorporating patient safety on student behaviors upon graduation and health outcomes are needed.