Through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Queensland in 2020 and 2021, Redcliffe Hospital Pharmacy introduced a drive through prescription collection service to reduce foot traffic of vulnerable consumers with chronic conditions into the hospital, and to improve ability to provide comprehensive, consistent medication-related education, particularly during COVID-19 waves.
Drive-through prescription collection service
Summary
Aim
To increase the safety of consumers during COVID-19 waves by reducing their time spent on hospital grounds, whilst continuing to provide them with comprehensive and consistent medication-related education.
To increase the safety of staff and patients during COVID-19 waves by reducing the need for in-person interactions with other consumers.
Benefits
The waiting time for consumers on hospital grounds reduced by up to 96%, with these consumers not needing to leave their vehicles. Also, in the short time spent on the hospital grounds, consumers were mainly waiting in the safety and comfort of their own vehicles.
Not only were consumers very satisfied with this service improvement, but the community-based staff were also able to collect medicines in the same manner, again reducing foot traffic through the hospital grounds.
Background
Most consumers who utilised the hospital pharmacy services were considered vulnerable with chronic conditions and susceptible to infections , hence it was decided that reducing their time spent on hospital grounds was paramount for their safety.