SPA President’s Message - October, 2009
Submitted by Brenda Bray, MPH, SPA President
Results are In - SPA Drug Alert Program Viewed Positively!
Over the summer, the Board of Managers of the Spokane Pharmacy Association (SPA) conducted a survey of our membership about the value and feasibility of continuing the “SPA Drug Alert” program. Results of the survey indicate that the program is utilized and valued by our membership and local pharmacies.
Out of 117 surveys faxed out to regional pharmacies, 49 completed surveys were returned for a 41.8% response rate. One reminder was sent out following the initial release of the survey. Eighty-two percent (40/49) of respondents indicated that they have utilized the SPA Drug Alert Program to submit information while 79.6% (39/49) indicated that they have taken action from the information provided by the program. Results of the survey questions (which are summarized in the table below), indicate the SPA Drug Alert Program is viewed positively - 73.5% (36/49) indicating the program is effective or very effective. Eighty-nine percent (44/49) agree or strongly agree that they would like for the program to continue. SPA Drug Alert program is viewed as important for notices of stolen prescription blanks, notifying specific prescriber regarding prescription activity and to receive bulletins from law enforcement.
Written comments on the survey also indicate wide spread support of the program. Interesting anecdotal feedback is that the SPA Drug Alert Program provides an important way for pharmacies and pharmacy employees to connect with each other. Written comments also reinforce the great interest in a formal mechanism to receive reports/bulletins from law enforcement which would be an expanded function of the current system.
Based on the positive feedback from the survey, the SPA Board of Managers has decided to continue the SPA Drug Alert Program. We are currently revising the form and the process. Please watch for new information to come out this fall. Issues that we are working on include the following:
- Simplification of the form to include specific categories with instructions about appropriate use of patient information.
- Partnership with law enforcement to receive important bulletins/reports about relevant information for pharmacies.
- Partnership with the medical and dental communities to educate them about the program.
- SPA administrative logistics to provide this service/program.
SPA BLAST FAX SURVEY SUMMARY
Involvement |
Responses |
|||
Yes |
No |
|
|
|
Have you ever submitted information through the SPA Drug Alert Program? |
40/49 (81.6%) |
9/49 (18.4%) |
|
|
Have you ever taken action from information provided by the SPA Drug Alert Program? |
39/49 (79.6%) |
10/49 (20.4%) |
||
Program effectiveness |
Strongly disagree |
Disagree |
Agree |
Strongly agree |
SPA Drug Alert Program is effective |
1/49 (2%) |
12/49 (24.5%) |
20/49 (40.8%) |
16/49 (32.7%) |
SPA Drug Alert Program should be continued |
1/49 (2%) |
4/49 (8.2%) |
17/49 (34.7%) |
27/49 (55.1%) |
Importance of the following actions |
Not important |
Somewhat important |
Important |
Very important |
Notice of stolen prescription blanks |
1/49 (2%) |
4/49 (8.2%) |
18/49 (36.7%) |
26/49 (53.1%) |
Notifying prescriber about prescription activity |
1/49 (2%) |
8/49 (16.3%) |
11/49 (22.4%) |
29/49 (59.2%) |
Bulletins from law enforcement |
1/49 (2%) |
5/49 (10.2%) |
12/49 (24.5%) |
31/49 (63.2%) |
The SPA Board of Managers appreciates your feedback and would like to thank you for participating in the survey. If you have any other ideas or comments, please feel free to contact me via e-mail (bbray@wsu.edu) or phone (509-358-7735). Thanks again to Sue Marchi Kellogg, SPA Board member, for her hard work on the survey!
P.S. Please plan to attend the SPA Annual Awards Banquet on November 4th! We will be honoring our pharmacy colleagues for their service to the Spokane community this past year and it is a great way to socialize! Look here for more information about the banquet.