Written by PTB Reports, 2022, 8, 3, 99-104.
DOI: 10.5530/PTB.2022.8.13
Published: December 2022
Type: Review Article
Authors: Yousef Ahmed Alomi, Anhar Alyousef, Mohammed Mominul Islam, Maha Hussein Almadany, Musleh Samil Reshidi, Hussain Mohammed Ibrahim Aareji, and Hamidah Qasim Ali Abushomi
Author(s) affiliations:
Dr. Yousef Ahmed Alomi*, BSc. Pharm, MSc. Clin Pharm, BCPS, BCNSP, DiBA, CDE, Critical Care Clinical Pharmacist, TPN Clinical Pharmacist, Freelancer Business Planner, Content Editor, and Data Analyst, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA.
Anhar Alyousef, Pharm D, Innova Healthcare Company, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA.
Mohammed Mominul Islam, MBBS, MPH, MSC, Deputy Director, Department of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Tabuk, SAUDI ARABIA.
Maha Hussein Almadany, Bsc. Pharm, Health Care Quality Management Professional Diploma (HCQM), Pharmacy Quality Department, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Medical City, Al Madina Al Monwarah, SAUDI ARABIA.
Musleh Samil Reshidi, BSc. Pharm, MSc. Clinic Pharm, Allied Medical Services, Hail, SAUDI ARABIA.
Hussain Mohammed Ibrahim Aareji, BSc. Pharm, Assistant Director of Quality Management and Patient Safety, Jazan, SAUDI ARABIA.
Hamidah Qasim Ali Abushomi, BSc, MSc. Clin Pharm, Dammam Medical Complex, Dammam, SAUDI ARABIA.
Abstract
Objective: In this study, we aimed to declare the competency of the infection control policy in pharmacy practice as a new initiative in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a narrative review of pharmacy infection control. A literature search was performed using various databases, including PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar, about specific pharmacy practice infection control policies and procedures. The search period was from the 1960s until October 2021. The terms were in English and included narrative review, systemic review, meta-analysis, and guidelines across all hospitals and community pharmacy services. Moreover, the national and international guidelines of general research in hospital and pharmacy practice guide the current review. The committee of pharmacy infection control formulated and consisted of various experts, including clinical pharmacists, drug information pharmacists, and clinical infection control specialists. Some authors drafted the policy and procedures, and the other member reviewed and corrected them. The third revision was by the infection control specialist. The study emphasizes the competency of pharmacy infection control policies and procedures. Results: The pharmacy infection control policy covered a variety of topics. It has included steps toward competency in pharmacy practice. Five models were included in the competency of pharmacy infection control policy. For example, patient care, infection control abilities, communication, professionalism, and ongoing professional development are required. In addition, each model included information about education and training, assessment types, and scores on competency assessments. The infection control competency test is administered to pharmacy staff annually. Conclusion: Pharmacy infection control policy competency is a new initiative and an integral part of pharmacy practice. The infection control policy competency requires pharmacists to continuously improve their skills in infection control practice and prevent pharmacy product-related infection in various settings within public and private healthcare institutions. As a result, the pharmacy infection control competencies policy is highly recommended for pharmaceutical care services worldwide.