A survey of pharmacists' perception of the work environment and patient safety in community pharmacies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Community pharmacies have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and new routines have been introduced to address the needs of customers and staff and to reduce the risk of spreading infection. Burnout has been described among staff possibly due to a changed working climate. However, little research has focused on the pandemic's effect on patient safety in community pharmacies. Objective: To examine pharmacists' perceptions of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on workload, working environment, and patient safety in community pharmacies. Methods: A survey was distributed to all Swedish community pharmacists, constituting a census study. Questions regarding the pharmacists' perception of the impact of the pandemic on workload, working environment, and patient safety were included. Respondents were asked to provide comments on their working situation. Quantitative results were analysed using descriptive statistics, and comments were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The response rate was 41% (2034 responses). Most pharmacists (62%) considered the workload to be increased during the pandemic while work environment deteriorated (physical work environment was considered worse by 47% of respondents while psychosocial work environment was considered worse by 59%). Despite this, many respondents (55%) believed that patient safety was not affected. Neither having had COVID-19 nor being afraid of contracting it, influenced these perceptions in any substantial way. Findings were consistent regardless of education, professional role, number of years in community pharmacies, or special assignments in the pharmacies. According to the respondents, the communication within pharmacy companies during the pandemic was inadequate. Conclusions: The impact of the pandemic on working conditions is in line with previous findings but the effect on patient safety needs further studies. The respondents felt the management had a limited understanding of the conditions during the pandemic, which stresses the importance of good and clear communication during a crisis.

Adherence to treatment in Swedish HIV-infected patients.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to assess the prevalence of adherence to antiretroviral treatment in Swedish human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients and to evaluate factors associated with adherence. METHODS: All HIV-treated patients, who attended one of 30 (of a total of 32) Swedish infectious diseases clinics, during 7 months, were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire containing the 9-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) and questions about other factors potentially affecting adherence. The summary score of MMAS ranges from 1 to 13, where 13 indicates perfect adherence; patients scoring 11 or above (corresponding to 95% adherence level) were classified as 'adherent'. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In total 946 patients participated (response rate 97.5%). The proportion of patients who reported not missing a dose during the day prior to the completion of the questionnaire was 97% and the proportion classified as 'adherent' was 63%. 'Adherent' patients were more likely to have a good relationship with their health care professionals (P < 0.05) and not have problems with drugs or alcohol (P < 0.01). Being older (P < 0.01) and having a shorter time on current treatment (P < 0.01) and on treatment in total (P < 0.05) were factors also associated with good adherence. CONCLUSION: Factors modifiable for interventions by health care professionals are patient-provider relationship, drug or alcohol problems and patients with long treatment periods.

Thin sol-gel-derived silica-coatings on CP-titania and bioactivity thereupon.

Silica-coatings prepared by sol-gel method was coated on CP-titania cones and discs. Thin coatings of less than approximately 0.3 micron were produced. The greatest advantage with the Si-gel coatings is that the densification of the gel takes place at already 500 degrees C, thus not changing the character of the metal surface. The coatings showed to passivate the surface of the CP-titania specimen, provided that the thickness did not exceed 0.3 micron. That seemed to be the critical thickness for a smooth and intact coating. Thicker coatings of Si-gel scales easily off.