Objective: To investigate the knowledge of patients with regard to the side‐effects of over‐the‐counter medicines. Method: This took the form of ethnographic interviews and focus groups. Results: ...
27 May 2019 in Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety
Aims: Dry surface biofilms (DSB) survive on environmental surfaces throughout hospitals, able to resist cleaning and disinfection interventions. This study aimed to produce a dual species DSB and explore the ability of commercially available wipe products to eliminate pathogens within a dual species DSB and prevent their transfer. Methods and Results: Staphylococcus aureus was grown with two different species of Bacillus on stainless steel discs, over 12 days using sequential hydration and dehydration phases. A modified version of ASTM 2967–15 was used to test six wipe products including one water control with the Fitaflex Wiperator. Staphylococcus aureus growth was inhibited when combined with Bacillus subtilis. Recovery of S. aureus on agar from a dual DSB was not always consistent. Our results did not provide evidence that Bacillus licheniformis protected S. aureus from wipe action. There was no significant difference of S. aureus elimination by antimicrobial wipes between single and dual species DSB. B. licheniformis was easily transferred by the wipe itself and to new surfaces both in a single and dual species DSB, whilst several wipe products inhibited the transfer of S. aureus from wipe. However, S. aureus direct transfer to new surfaces was not inhibited post-wiping. Conclusions: Although we observed that the dual DSB did not confer protection of S. aureus, we demonstrated that environmental species can persist on surfaces after disinfection treatment. Industries should test DSB against future products and hospitals should consider carefully the products they choose. Significance and Impact of the Study: To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting on the production of a dual species DSB. Multispecies DSB have been identified throughout the world on hospital surfaces, but many studies focus on single species biofilms. This study has shown that DSB behave differently to hydrated biofilms.
Workforce resilience in pharmacy is required to ensure the practice, education, and administrative systems remain viable and sustainable over time and when facing challenges. Whether it is addressing burnout of pharmacists or students, or the structure and policies/procedures of employment and professional organizations, working to increase resilience across all individuals and sectors is essential to relieve pressure and promote better well-being, especially during the recent pandemic. The purpose of this article is to describe the development of a community of practice global group focused on development of resilience within the pharmacy workforce that is inclusive of students, pharmacy interns/preregistration and registered pharmacists. The steering group meets monthly and has representation of 24 members across eight countries. Members meet to discuss pertinent issues they are facing in practice, as well as to share and progress ideas on education, research, and practice initiatives. To date, members have collectively implemented resilience training in pharmacy education, researched burnout and resilience in both students and pharmacists, and facilitated international collaborations both within and outside core group members. Future activities will focus on strengthening the community of practice in order to harness the power of the collective.