When you think of a pharmacist, do you picture a serious person in a lab
coat, working quietly behind the scenes? Today, a hospital pharmacist
is among those toiling in the eye of a hurricane called COVID-19. No matter
how rapidly coronavirus information changes or how many patients enter
intensive care, a pharmacist must remain calm and focused in the center
of the storm.
The pharmacists at Southeast Georgia Health System work with doctors and
other health care providers to monitor the progress of every patient admitted
to the hospital. They may need to continuously modify a treatment plan
to ensure a positive outcome.
Challenges and Changes
“We have had more investigational drugs this year than I’ve
ever seen,” says Laura Limburg, PharmD, BCPS, a 15-year team member
of the Health System. As pharmacy clinical coordinator for the Brunswick
Campus, she leads programs to improve hospital performance and patient
outcomes. “We’ve been busy learning protocols and obtaining
and monitoring new medications, so they can be administered safely. We’ve
followed the CDC literature and guidelines for COVID-19 patients and worked
with our medical providers to help select the best medication treatment,”
Limburg says when describing this year’s whirlwind of activity.
“It has been a challenge – new data comes out so rapidly that
today’s best therapy may not be recommended tomorrow!” She
works closely with Jennifer Boykin, RPh, PharmD, BCPS, a critical care
pharmacist who also trains Doctorate of Pharmacy students.
When asked to describe the contributions his team made this year, Pharmacy
Director W. Tim Tyre, R.PH., M.H.S., says, “As the pandemic evolved,
Dr. Limburg and Dr. Boykin were extremely helpful in providing updated
clinical information for the COVID-19 disease and treatments. Even with
their already busy schedules, our team is always willing to assist in
treating these patients who are often critically ill.”
Both women underwent rigorous training prior to entering the field. Limburg
earned a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from the University of Tennessee
in Knoxville, before pursuing her PharmD at the University’s Memphis
campus. During her pharmacy practice residency at the Regional Medical
Center of Memphis, she focused on anticoagulation and infectious disease,
two specialties that served her well during the outbreak. “COVID-19
patients can be prone to blood clots. We help with medication selection,
dosing and monitoring of blood thinners, which is important to prevent
clots and decrease the risk of bleeding.”
Boykin has worked at the Health System for eight years and earned her degree
from the University of Georgia School of Pharmacy. She completed her pharmacy
practice residency at St. Joseph’s Candler in Savannah, Georgia.
Though a pharmacist often works alone, her favorite part of the job involves
teamwork. “I enjoy collaborating with our critical care team and
helping provide optimum patient care. Multidisciplinary rounds are my
favorite part of the week.” When working as a preceptor training
pharmacy students, she presents a well-rounded experience and a glimpse
behind the hospital curtain. “I promise that they will never forget
the day they spend shadowing the nurses!”
Saving Lives Together
Although typically working behind the scenes, pharmacists know that they
help the medical teams throughout the Health System save lives. A self-described
“numbers and data nerd,” Limburg finds fulfillment in initiating
hospital-wide changes that improve performance and patient outcomes, and
she feels supported in her efforts. “There are new challenges, problem
solving and information to learn daily. The Health System’s leadership
is open to new ideas and the medical staff works well with the pharmacy
department.”
This year challenged the pharmacists in ways they never imagined. “Normally,
during a code blue (cardiac arrest), I’m at the bedside with the
nurses, manning the code cart. Now, I’m stuck outside (the room)
hoping I can understand them through their masks and face shields,”
says Boykin.
Thinking back over 2020, Limburg says, “It hasn’t been easy,
especially when my kids had the longest spring break ever!” Helping
others through her work has been fulfilling, however. She encourages people
to discuss their questions about the virus with their pharmacist and physician.
“Please do not get your medical information from social media. We
really want to help and can point you to legitimate scientific and medical
resources.”
Boykin echoes her colleague’s concern about false or confusing information.
She is relieved about the vaccine, but understands that not everyone is
receptive. “I realize there is some hesitancy because the vaccine
may seem rushed. However, if you think about all the technology and money
dedicated to this problem, scientists have stepped up and worked hard
to deliver this solution.”
Like their fellow scientists, Limburg, Boykin and the rest of the pharmacy
team will continue working hard to save lives and keep people healthy,
through the pandemic and beyond.
To support your community hospital, call Southeast Georgia Health System
Foundation at 912-466-3360.