Pharmacy type
Community
Pharmacy context
COVID-19
Relevant standards
- 1.2 - The safety and quality of pharmacy services are regularly reviewed and monitored
Why this is notable practice
The pharmacy is using ongoing observation audits to support the safe and effective running of its COVID-19 vaccination site. It is sharing the learning from these audits to help inform practice and to continually drive improvement.
How the pharmacy did this
The pharmacy-led COVID-19 vaccination site had introduced ongoing 'observation audits' to help drive continual improvement. The audit involved the clinical lead observing the practice of both volunteers and vaccinators on an individual basis. The volunteer or vaccinator then engaged in one-to-one feedback with the clinical lead about their practice. This discussion focussed on positive aspects of their practice and also provided an opportunity for them to reflect on areas where there was opportunity for improvement.
The pharmacy held team briefings each morning. The briefings focussed on sharing the latest information relating to the service. And it was also an opportunity for team members to reflect on the previous day. This included sharing information from the observation audits which provided team members with further opportunities to discuss their practice and share ideas. The pharmacy had recorded feedback from the briefings, and it used this to inform its ongoing approach to managing risk. Team members also had the opportunity to observe a peer’s practice as part of the shared learning culture. The pharmacy had identified some areas for improvement through the audits such as ensuring vaccinators returned the vaccine vial safely to the kidney dish after drawing up a dose. The pharmacy followed social distancing requirements during the audit process. And it obtained consent from patients prior to observing vaccinators.
What difference this made to patients
The pharmacy is using ongoing observation audits to support the safe and effective running of its COVID-19 vaccination site. It is sharing the learning from these audits to help inform practice and to continually drive improvement.
Highlighted standards
We have identified the standards most likely and least likely to be met in inspections, and highlighted examples of notable practice for each of these standards; to help everyone learn from others and to support continuous improvement: