Medicines shortages and the perception of healthcare professionals working in hospitals: An Italian case study

ABSTRACT

Background The medicines’ shortage has arisen as a global crisis, which jeopardizes the continuity of care and overloads for pharmacists and healthcare professionals. Purpose The paper aims 1) to determine the therapeutic classes mostly affected by shortages in pre-COVID scenario and investigate their impact;2) to collect the perception of physicians and nurses on shortages to assess the effect on clinical practice and to improve interprofessional collaboration. Methods A 16-question survey developed by hospital pharmacists was administered to physicians and nurses at Presidio Ospedaliero Luigi Sacco in Milan (Italy). Discussion A total of 148 medicinal products were reported as unavailable by 58 interviewees. Since in 66% of cases therapeutic alternatives are available, healthcare professionals did not perceive them as so critical since effect on patients can be mitigate by effective interprofessional collaboration. Conclusion Risk assessment and management of shortages should be based on a bottom-up approach that takes in consideration the ward operability and the perception of healthcare professionals.