MODIFICATION OF HOSPITAL AMBULATORY PHARMACY PATIENT FLOW IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AT A HOSPITAL IN TAIWAN

Hui-Min Chang1,2, Miao-Ting Chen1, Eric Kin-Lap Lee1, Hung-Chin Tsai3,4,5, Chen-Hsi Chou2

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread world-wide. In this paper we report the changes made to patient flow at the out-patient pharmacy, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan in order to reduce pharmacy waiting patient density to reduce staff and patient risk for contracting and transmitting infection. We used out-door patient pharmacy waiting, which reduced patient density. Further studies are needed to determine efficacy and patient acceptance of this new system.