ASHP National Survey Highlights Trends in Health-System Pharmacy Practice

More than 300 pharmacy executives shared their thoughts and concerns over the state of pharmacy within the healthcare system.

The results of the 2022 ASHP National Survey of Pharmacy Practice in Hospital Settings are in! More than 300 pharmacy executives responded to this year’s survey, which focused on workforce challenges as organizations manage the national shortage of pharmacy technicians. The survey also included hot topics like hospital-at-home and questions to gauge the progress toward the five Practice Advancement Initiative (PAI) 2030 Focused Initiatives.

Most organizations have managed the technician shortage by paying overtime to fill shifts and by having pharmacists fulfill technician responsibilities. Organizations have also increased the use of ready-to-administer products to reduce dependence on technicians for product preparation. To improve hiring and retention, organizations are implementing off-cycle salary increases, offering sign-on bonuses, implementing technician career ladders, and providing reimbursement for professional development. Some organizations have created non-technician job titles to increase salaries or improve hiring for non-traditional technician roles.

A little more than one-third of organizations are measuring aspects of burnout syndrome in their pharmacy staff, including emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and cynicism, or low sense of accomplishment. Most directors indicate their organization is attempting to prevent and mitigate burnout and promote well-being and resilience in their staff.

This year’s survey represents the third year of measuring the five current PAI 2030 Focused Initiatives: independent pharmacist prescribing, leveraging analytics and technology, seamless pharmacy services at transitions of care, improving pharmacist services in ambulatory care clinics, and expanding the role of pharmacy technicians.

Join the authors of the ASHP National Survey of Pharmacy Practice in Hospital Settings, Douglas Scheckelhoff, Craig Pedersen, Phil Schneider, and Michael Ganio for a detailed discussion about the results of the 2022 survey and what they mean for trends in pharmacy practice. Session 312-L04 ASHP 2022 National Survey: A Conversation About the State of Pharmacy Practice will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 7 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in Mandalay Bay J on Level 2.