Shortages of medicines in a psychiatric hospital in Cyprus

Petrou, P.; Sophie, Ioannou S.

doi:10.2478/afpuc-2021-0014

Figures & Tables

Do shortages compromise the quality of patient care in your hospital?

What was the longest shortage duration you can recall?

Which type of drug is commonly in shortage?

How often do you provide therapeutic equivalent without disruption of treatment?

How much time do you dedicate on shortages per week?

Baseline characteristics_

Sex M/F:	M: 44%F: 56%
Age (mean/sd):	36.8 ±7.5
Educational degree	Diploma: NoneBachelor: 98% Graduates of universities (2% of higher institute)Master: 48%PhD: None
Professional status	Public servant: 50 Under contract: None
Position	Health professionals (nurses): 84%Psychiatrists: 12%Neurologists: NoneTrainee psychiatrists: None Psychologists: 4%
Length of time in the workplace (mean/sd):	10.9 ±8.6

Suggested policies to mitigate impact of shortages_

	No	Yes
Investigation of the root causes of shortages	22%	78%
Elaboration of a common national database, which will be accessible by all health care institutions in a timely manner	44%	76%
Annual report by MOH	44%	56%
Legal liability of MaH	78%	22%

Questionnaire_

1. Do drug shortages compromise the quality of patient care in your hospital?	Yes 96% No 4%
2. How often does your hospital experience drug shortages?	Occasionally (e.g., 2–3 times/year) :4% Monthly: 46% Weekly: 36% Daily: 14%
1. How long do drug shortages usually last in your hospital?	>1–3 months: 92% 3–6 months: 8% <6–9 months: N/A
2. What was the longest drug shortage duration that you recall in your hospital?	1–3 months: 92% 4–6 months: 8% 6–12 months: N/A >1 year: N/A
3. What type of drugs is commonly in shortage?	Generic: 38% Branded: 62%
4. In an average week in your hospital, how much time (staff working time) do you estimate Is dedicated to drug shortage problems?	Less than an hour: 16% 1–5 hours :44% 6–10 hours 38% 11–15 hours: N/A >15 hours: 2%
5. How often do you provide a therapeutic equivalent or near equivalent medicine, without major disruption to patients’ treatment?	Never: 4% Rarely: 12% Sometimes: 50% Most of the time: 34% Always: N/A
6. Which category of external supply does your hospital most frequently encounter problems with when sourcing specific required medicines?	I do not know: 36% Generic manufacturers: 42% Original manufacturers: 46% Innovators (brand companies): N/A Unlicensed drug suppliers (e.g., special orders): N/A Wholesalers: N/A
7. Which are most the important ramifications of medicine shortages on patient care;	Delay in provided healthcare: 68% Medical errors: 2% Compromised effectiveness: 96% Occurrence of adverse event :26% Re-admission of patients :72%

Applied strategies to minimize impact of shortages_

	No	Yes
Awareness regarding alternative treatment modalities	26%	74%
Creating awareness in patients of shortages	28%	72%
Informing and engaging management and personnel	42%	58%
Location and supply of the product from an alternative supply pathway (stockpiling)	74%	26%
Substitute	80%	20%
Budget re-adjustment	88%	12%
Allocation of additional personnel	96%	4%
No change	100%	0%

Shortages of medicines in a psychiatric hospital in Cyprus

Figures & Tables

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Baseline characteristics_

Suggested policies to mitigate impact of shortages_

Questionnaire_

Applied strategies to minimize impact of shortages_

Paradigm

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