Hospital pharmacists' preparedness to provide contemporary advice on the clinical use of vancomycin: the impact of a targeted continuing education module

This study aimed to determine self-reported confidence of pharmacists in providing contemporary advice on vancomycin and evaluate pharmacists' knowledge to provide contemporary advice on vancomycin following a targeted continuing education (CE) module. The study was a prospective two-phase design conducted in an Australian hospital. Phase one involves pharmacist self-reported confidence to survey questions using a Likert scale on providing contemporary advice on vancomycin. Phase two involves provision of an online CE vancomycin module containing knowledge-based assessment. Likert scales recorded self-reported confidence reported as mean and standard deviation. Response rates for surveys; confidence n = 35 (72.9%) and knowledge n = 31 (58.5%). In phase one, confidence was highest regarding vancomycin dosing and monitoring with 71.4%-81.6% of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing they were confident in those domains. Respondents were least confident regarding intravenous administration and infusion related reactions, 57.1% and 45.7% respectively. Respondents who provided advice on vancomycin >10 times in the prior 12 months reported significantly higher confidence in; therapeutic range 1.4 (SD 0.5) vs 1.9 (SD 0.7) p = 0.01, interpreting concentrations to amend dosage 1.5 (SD 0.5) vs 2.5 (SD 0.5) p = <0.01, and providing general advice to doctors 1.9 (SD 0.5) vs. 2.4 (0.6) p = <0.01. Knowledge questions were answered correctly post CPD by >75% of pharmacists. In conclusion, pharmacists' self-reported confidence to managing vancomycin was variable but generally high. Introduction of an accredited CE module on vancomycin, assessing knowledge using a clinical vignette translated into consistently high responses. CE can consolidate confidence and knowledge while providing a self-affirming value of existing knowledge and practice.