SCCM Resource Library-Navigating Hospital Drug Shortages: Bringing the Team Together

Pdf Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant weaknesses in the global drug supply chain, particularly affecting the availability of essential, lifesaving medications. This led to drug shortages in hospitals worldwide, exacerbated by the surge in demand and disruptions in manufacturing processes. Consequently, healthcare systems had to devise innovative strategies to manage these shortages through a collaborative, multipronged approach.<br /><br />To proactively manage drug shortages, healthcare institutions should engage key stakeholders early, assess current inventory, and anticipate potential shortages by monitoring supply chain indicators like partially filled orders or out-of-stock manufacturers. It's critical to communicate these concerns promptly to all involved parties, including forming interdisciplinary drug shortage committees.<br /><br />Efforts to mitigate shortages include identifying therapeutic alternatives, monitoring and managing existing inventory, and potentially sourcing compounds from nontraditional avenues like compounding pharmacies, keeping in mind compliance with regulations like the Drug Quality and Security Act.<br /><br />Institutions should implement contingency plans such as usage restrictions and interhospital loans and strategize on conservation methods to prioritize vulnerable patients. Cost assessments for procuring scarce drugs from nontraditional sources should be prepared to secure contingency funds. Communication via email and Electronic Medical Records (EMR) alerts is essential to guide healthcare professionals through shortages.<br /><br />Effective management strategies include estimating the duration of shortages, determining alternative therapies, setting usage restrictions, and preparing usage criteria to prioritize patient care needs. Transparency and access to a comprehensive drug shortage dashboard can assist in maintaining a clear overview. <br /><br />Long-term, health systems should develop living documents and guidelines to prepare for future shortages and draw on resources from organizations like the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) and the FDA. Critical collaboration among medical professionals, pharmacists, and policymakers is imperative to maintaining optimal patient care and ensuring adequate pharmacotherapy during crises.

Asset Subtitle

Pharmacology, Crisis Management, 2023, 0:04:26

Asset Caption

"This article was first published in the Spring 2023 issue of Critical Connections.

Among the many challenges for healthcare organizations created by the COVID-19 pandemic was drug shortages. The anticipatory purchasing of drugs around the world due to the uncertainty of COVID-19 and skyrocketing hospitalizations drove drug demand to an unprecedented high. Meanwhile, availability was reduced because manufacturers shut down to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other supply chain disruptions. Although the shortages were predominantly related to drugs directly impacting patients with COVID-19, other drug classes were affected as well.

Critical Connections, the critical care industry’s only newsmagazine, provides information on cutting-edge topics in critical care useful to the entire multiprofessional team."

Meta Tag

Content Type Article

Knowledge Area Pharmacology

Knowledge Area Crisis Management

Membership Level Associate

Membership Level Professional

Membership Level Select

Tag Resource Allocation

Year 2023

Keywords

COVID-19

drug supply chain

drug shortages

healthcare strategies

therapeutic alternatives

Drug Quality and Security Act

interhospital loans

Electronic Medical Records

drug shortage dashboard

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