Ambulatory care pharmacy practice innovations and collaborative developments in response to COVID-19: A report from the ambulatory care practice and research network (PRN)

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Service or Program: The Ambulatory Care PRN annually reports ambulatory care pharmacy practice innovations developed by PRN members In 2020, the ACCP Clinical Pharmacy in Action series was reviewed to disseminate ambulatory clinical models developed to maintain continuity of care during the COVID-19 pandemic and their initial outcomes Justification/Documentation: New approaches reported included non-clinic-based drive-through and telehealth services Hospital- and private clinic-based pharmacist-led teams incorporating technicians and learners developed drive-through anticoagulation and COVID-19 testing and screening utilizing existing parking facilities and driveways Increased pharmacist video and phone telehealth utilization for medication administration technique education and medication-related problem resolution were also reported Collaborations were established with local health departments, clinics, shelters, and medical reserve corps units to enhance COVID-19 screening, personal protective equipment fitting, call center services, patient education and follow-up, and homeless assistance services Patients were reported to express satisfaction and reduced anxiety due to improved convenience, safety, and expediency of drive-through testing, which led to reports of improved time to care, no-show rates, and workflows Telehealth approaches were reported to help support full-time pharmacist practice hours, with telehealth services generating reimbursement potentially comparable to in-clinic encounters Student pharmacists reported meaningful and fulfilling experiences Adaptability: Prior to the development and deployment of an effective vaccine, COVID-19 is anticipated to have a sustained global impact on patient care access and clinical pharmacist practice and reimbursement Approaches developed in response to the initial COVID-19 outbreak will likely serve as models for ambulatory pharmacy clinical services nationwide and adapted to a wide range of care needs and specialties Significance: Patient-centric, non-clinic-based approaches developed during the COVID-19 pandemic potentially justify continuance of pharmacist telehealth reimbursement and out-of-clinic care services post-pandemic These approaches may reduce patient barriers to care while expanding ambulatory care pharmacist reach Expansion of collaboration with public health organizations may also support expanded pharmacist involvement in pandemic initiatives

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