Pharmacy type
Community
Pharmacy context
COVID-19
Relevant standards
- 4.2 - Pharmacy services are managed and delivered safely and effectively
Why this is notable practice
The pharmacy has considered the risks associated with not gaining signatures from people it delivers medicines to. It is using an alternative audit trail to support it in providing the delivery service safely and effectively.
How the pharmacy did this
The pharmacy had seen a dramatic increase in demand for home deliveries. The driver was using personal protective equipment. And was advised to change clothes at the end of each shift. The pharmacy had implemented a system to ensure social distancing guidance was followed during the delivery process. This was achieved by the driver placing medicines on people's door steps. He then took a photograph of the package on the door step, rang the doorbell or knocked on the door and moved back to a safe distance. He waited for people to retrieve their medicine before leaving the property. The photographs were taken using a mobile telephone which was secured against unauthorised access. And care was taken to ensure there was no personal identification in the photograph. The pharmacy planned to delete photographs on a 28-day rotating cycle.
What difference this made to patients
People continue to receive their medicines in a safe and effective manner. And the pharmacy is able to answer queries relating to its medicine delivery service efficiently.
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: