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BC’s COVID-19 Response
Self-Isolation Advice for Pharmacy Professionals and the Role of Pharmacy Managers
BC's COVID-19 ResponseThe situation regarding COVID-19 continues to evolve here in BC, Canada and other jurisdictions in the world. The College of Pharmacists of BC is working closely with the Ministry of Health and other partners to support the response to this new illness as part of BC’s health system. The College will provide any updated information or guidance for pharmacy professionals as it becomes available. Please follow updates provided on bcpharmacists.org/COVID19 Pharmacy professionals exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should follow the COVID-19 testing process developed for all British Columbia health care workers. |
[Updated - March 27, 2020]
Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry has issued an order providing criteria and guidance for exempting essential workers from the self-isolation requirements for people who have travelled outside of Canada and returned on or after March 12, 2020.
This guidance may also be appropriate for essential workers who are self-isolating as a result of other potential exposures to COVID-19.
The order provides self-isolation guidance for essential workers who provide services that are considered critical to preserving life, health, public safety and basic societal functioning and who have been determined by the leadership of their organization to be critical for delivery these essential services.
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SELF-ISOLATION ADVICE FOR PHARMACY PROFESSIONALS
Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians may be exempt from the 14-day self-isolation requirement, if they are considered critical to the operation of their organization/pharmacy.
Who is Considered “Critical Pharmacy Staff”?Determination of whether or not an individual pharmacists or pharmacy technician is critical to the delivery of essential services is the responsibility of the pharmacy manager. If the pharmacy manager is in self-isolation or is otherwise unavailable, this determination is the responsibility of the pharmacy owner. |
Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who have not been deemed critical to the operation of their pharmacy MUST observe the 14-day self-isolation requirement after returning from travel outside of Canada on or after March 12, 2020.
If you are concerned that you have otherwise been exposed to COVID-19, observe the 14-day self-isolation protocol, unless you have been deemed critical to the delivery of essential services by your pharmacy manager or owner and they have completed a risk assessment.
SAFELY PRACTICING AS CRITICAL PHARMACY STAFF
If you are essential to the provision of services at your pharmacy and have been given an exemption from the 14-day self-isolation protocol, you must take all possible measures to protect your colleagues, patients and the public, including regular self-monitoring and the use of a mask and gloves (see note below) if you have any respiratory symptoms.
Note: The College is aware of concerns related to personal protective equipment, and continues to work with the Ministry of Health, the BC Centre for Disease Control, and the BC Pharmacy Association on this issue.
Additionally, as set out in the Order of The Provincial Health Officer, you must follow the protocol of your employer to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Self-monitoring daily for signs and symptoms of illness;
- Following infection prevention and control protocols including diligent hand hygiene;
- Reducing close contact with other workers by maintaining a two metre separation, avoiding standard greetings that require physical contact, such as shaking hands, and avoiding shared spaces where possible;
- Avoiding close contact with others when travelling to and from work and between shifts;
- Self-isolating at home on days when you are not required at the workplace as described at “Information for people who are self-isolating due to contact with a case of COVID-19 or travel”.
- Avoiding any unnecessary visits to public establishments;
- Calling 811* or your health care practitioner if you have come in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and self-isolating if instructed to do so by a health professional. *There is now a new testing process for health care professionals
- If you exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, dry cough, etc.), calling 811* or your health practitioner, and self-isolating for 14 days unless instructed otherwise by a health practitioner.
- Submitting to such medical tests and providing such specimens as are, from time to time, considered necessary by your health professional for the purpose of identifying or controlling the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
*There is now a new testing process for health care professionals (see below)
PRIORITY TESTING FOR PHARMACY PROFESSIONALSAs frontline health care workers, BC's pharmacy professionals will have access to priority testing for COVID-19. Pharmacy professionals who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 infection should be following the COVID-19 testing process developed for all British Columbia health care workers. Please be aware that all testing centres may not have been notified that pharmacy professionals (including community pharmacy) are designated as health care workers and are eligible for testing. Refer to the List of Essential Services for confirmation of health care worker status. |
ROLE OF PHARMACY MANAGERS AND OWNERS
As leaders of organizations providing essential services, pharmacy managers and owners are responsible for ensuring that their staff follow the required 14-day isolation protocol after returning to Canada, OR after having been otherwise exposed to COVID-19, unless their absence will make the delivery of essential services impossible.
Non-Travel-Related Probable Cases of COVID-19Pharmacy managers and owners are also responsible for contact management of non-travel-related probable cases of COVID-19 among their staff members, as per the guidance provided by The Public Health Agency of Canada and The BC Centre for Disease Control. |
The decision to provide an exemption to any individual pharmacist or pharmacy technician must be based on a comprehensive risk assessment as laid out in the Order from The Provincial Health Officer.
Pharmacy managers and owners must prioritize protective measures for any staff members that have been given an exemption.
Who is Considered “Critical Pharmacy Staff”?Determination of whether or not an individual pharmacists or pharmacy technician is critical to the delivery of essential services is the responsibility of the pharmacy manager. If the pharmacy manager is in self-isolation or is otherwise unavailable, this determination is the responsibility of the pharmacy owner. |
Pharmacy managers and owners must establish and ensure all essential staff follow protocols to:
- Prevent the risk of transmission of infection to co-workers by a pharmacy professional with a history of travel outside of Canada since March 12, 2020.
- Provide for a rapid response if a pharmacy professional develops symptoms of illness while at work
- Maintain high levels of workplace and worker hygiene.
COVID-19 RISK-ASSESSMENT TOOLS
The decision, by a pharmacy manager or owner, to provide an exemption from self-isolation to critical pharmacy staff should be based on a comprehensive risk-assessment.
The College has developed a risk-assessment tool to assist pharmacy managers and owners in determining the necessary self-isolation measures needed for pharmacy staff affected by COVID-19.
Before considering any action, please refer to most up-to-date guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the BC Centre for Disease Control which supersede the College’s recommendations:
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Questions
For questions related to pharmacy practice, the College’s risk assessment tool, and providing continuity of care for patients during this emergency, contact the College’s practice support at [email protected].
- COVID-19