Small Hospitals Struggling
to Recruit, Retain Pharmacists
ASHP
Survey Reveals Evolution of Pharmacist, Technician Roles
BETHESDA, MD. 15 July 2003 — Small hospitals,
especially those with less than 100 beds, are experiencing
ongoing staffing challenges with higher pharmacist
vacancy and turnover rates than large hospitals in
the U.S., according to a recent workforce study conducted
by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
(ASHP). Turnover rates among pharmacy staff in small
hospitals (one to 99 beds) were 11.4 percent compared
to 5.8 percent in large hospitals (400 or more); small
hospitals make up 44 percent of all hospitals in the
U.S.
The survey revealed that pharmacy directors are employing
a number of tactics to combat shortages, including
offering flexible scheduling and signing bonuses, and
changing their practice environments to be more professionally
rewarding. Overall, reported vacancy rates have fallen
from 6.9 percent in 2002 to 5.6 percent in 2003.
Pharmacy directors at 578 hospitals and health systems
throughout the U.S. answered questions about vacancy
levels, available positions, and the supply of qualified
pharmacists. The survey also examined different factors
that influence personnel recruitment and retention,
including hiring incentives, salaries, physical environment,
lifestyle considerations, and professional practice.
More than half of respondents reported that pharmacy
vacancies have:
• Prompted practice changes to allow pharmacists
to assume more clinical roles,
• Delayed expansion of pharmacy programs or services
into new areas, and
• Reduced service when pharmacists had to be redeployed
to cover other duties.
“The survey findings show a general improvement
in pharmacist recruitment and retention in the nation’s
hospitals and health systems,” said Douglas J.
Scheckelhoff, M.S., FASHP, Director, ASHP Pharmacy
Practice Sections. “However, we’re concerned
that smaller hospitals appear to be struggling to find
and keep qualified practitioners. We’re hoping
that the results of this survey will provide pharmacy
directors with a blueprint for designing a workplace
environment that can help them recruit and retain personnel.”
Forty-five percent of respondents indicated that pharmacist
shortages have resulted in reduced pharmacist vigilance
with medication safety hospital-wide. The survey also
showed that 44 percent of pharmacy directors are expanding
the roles and responsibilities of pharmacy technician
in response to shortages. Just over 31 percent reported
increasing the use of automation.
For a copy of the May 2003 survey, go to www.ashp.org/practicemanager/StaffSurvey2003.pdf.
ASHP is the 30,000-member national professional association
that represents pharmacists who practice in hospitals,
health maintenance organizations, ambulatory care clinics,
long-term care facilities, home care, and other components
of health care systems. ASHP, which has a long history
of medication error prevention efforts, believes that
the mission of pharmacists is to help people make the
best use of medicines. Assisting pharmacists in fulfilling
this mission is ASHP’s primary objective. The
Society has extensive publishing and educational programs
designed to help members improve their professional
practice, and it is the national accrediting organization
for pharmacy residency and pharmacy technician training
programs. For more information, visit ASHP’s
Web site, www.ashp.org, or its consumer Web site, www.safemedication.com.—ASHP
Press Release
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