Temple University Faculty Member Employs Online Student-Resident Team to Provide Care for COVID-19 Patients

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Due to institutional restrictions limiting students’ clinical experiences, longstanding ACCP member Marissa Cavaretta, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCACP, Clinical Associate Professor at the Temple University School of Pharmacy, conducted her APPE internal medicine rotation online by video conference. “I felt it was important to focus this rotation on caring for the COVID-19 patients admitted to our hospitalist teams,” explained Dr. Cavaretta. She was joined on her pharmacy team by PGY2 pharmacy residents Nicolette Diehl and Michelle Patterson (both ACCP members) and 5 student pharmacists, including ACCP student member Allison Shofran. Their goals were to improve care transitions and ensure safety for patients, caregivers, and practitioners. The team provided pharmacy services to 55 COVID-19 patients over a 6 week period. Medication histories and patient counseling were performed by telephone and care plans were documented in the electronic medical record. They also carried out safe discharge practices by communicating care plans to outpatient pharmacies, arranging safe medication pickups or deliveries to patients/caregivers, and reinforcing isolation and medication instructions to patients during their post-discharge follow-up phone calls. Although working remotely, the team provided essential clinical pharmacy services to their patients.