Staff vacations are essential for wellness and morale—but they can challenge continuity of care if systems aren’t in place. In long-term care at home, a missed refill or delayed delivery can result in serious complications. That’s why summer planning is essential.
Begin by cross-training team members. Make sure every technician knows how to locate patient records, access delivery schedules, and communicate with caregivers. Keep updated SOPs easily accessible so fill-in staff can pick up where others left off.
Create backup plans for clinical services. If your pharmacist-in-charge is out, ensure that MTM reviews, med syncs, and reconciliations are reassigned.
Leverage automation wherever possible—use refill reminders, delivery confirmations, and auto-order prompts to avoid lapses. Alert home health and caregiver partners in advance of staffing changes so transitions are smooth.
When continuity is maintained, patients remain adherent, caregivers stay confident, and your pharmacy avoids gaps that can result in lost revenue or compromised care.