The pharmacy industry is facing a severe staffing crisis, and the consequences are dire. Burnout, understaffing, and high turnover rates are crippling the industry, leading to a surge in medication errors that put patients' lives at risk. The statistics are alarming, and immediate action is needed to address this critical issue.

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The Grim Reality

According to Axios, there has been a steady drop in applications to pharmacy schools, falling 64% from nearly 100,000 in 2012 to about 36,000 in 2022. Additionally, medication errors injure a staggering 1.5 million people annually, as reported by AARP. The financial toll is equally devastating, with incorrectly prescribed medication costing the U.S. economy over $177 billion per year, and preventable medication errors accounting for over $21 billion in expenses each year, according to the American Managed Care Pharmacy and USA Today, respectively.

The root cause of this crisis can be traced back to the dwindling number of pharmacy school applications. The shortage of qualified professionals has led to overworked and understaffed pharmacies, creating an environment ripe for errors.

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The Human Cost

More than a quarter (26%) of hospital re-admissions are tied to medications and considered potentially preventable. Furthermore, a 2022 National Community Pharmacists Association survey showed that nearly 75% of respondents felt they did not have enough time to safely perform clinical duties and patient care, leading to burnout and high turnover rates.

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The Solution: PRN Staffing

Amidst this crisis, a solution emerges in the form of PRN (pro re nata, or "as needed") staffing. By providing pharmacies with access to a pool of qualified, on-demand professionals, PRN staffing agencies can alleviate the burden of understaffing and reduce the risk of medication errors.

The benefits of PRN staffing are numerous. Pharmacies can quickly fill staffing gaps, ensuring adequate coverage and reducing the workload on existing staff. This not only improves patient safety but also helps mitigate burnout and turnover rates among permanent employees. Additionally, PRN staffing offers flexibility and cost-effectiveness for pharmacies.

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The Rise of the Gig Economy

The rise of the gig economy has also contributed to the growth of PRN staffing, with the number of healthcare workers classified as "gig workers" increasing from 1.5 million in 2019 to 21 million in 2022.

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A Call to Action

The pharmacy staffing crisis is a ticking time bomb that demands immediate attention. By embracing PRN staffing as a solution, pharmacies can mitigate the risks associated with understaffing, reduce medication errors, and ultimately save lives. It's a win-win situation for both pharmacies and patients, ensuring a safer and more efficient healthcare system.

Stakeholders, including pharmacy owners, healthcare administrators, and policymakers, must prioritize addressing this crisis. Investing in PRN staffing solutions, promoting pharmacy education, and implementing measures to support and retain existing staff are crucial steps towards resolving this critical issue.

The time to act is now. By taking proactive measures, we can prevent further loss of life, reduce the financial burden on the healthcare system, and ensure that patients receive the safe and high-quality care they deserve.

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Citations:

https://cascadestaff.com/prn-staff-advantages/

https://data.cms.gov/quality-of-care/payroll-based-journal-daily-nurse-staffing

https://www.zippia.com/nurses-prn-careers-35546/demographics/

https://www.nsinursingsolutions.com/Documents/Library/NSI_National_Health_Care_Retention_Report.pdf

https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/nursing-workforce-fact-sheet

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