Table 1.

Resources Needed for VUMC Pharmacy Staff Members’ Transition to Remote Work

Resource(s)	Pharmacy Department(s)	Notes
Desktop, laptop, tablet computers	All	This equipment was used for remote work and patient counseling; most staff members used existing resources, but a few purchases were required.
VPN access	All	VPN installation on all remote work computers was required for access the health system’s software.
New telephone lines	Specialty, retail	HIPAA-secured lines for patient calls were purchased, and software was installed on computers being taken home by staff members.
Credit card processing licenses	Specialty, retail	As more patients transitioned to mail-order services, additional staff members were required to collect credit card information; this required the purchase of additional licenses.
Electronic fax system	Specialty	Faxing is a frequent form of communication with insurers and manufacturers. The pharmacy leadership identified and implemented an electronic fax solution and provided an online training webinar for staff.
Ethernet cords	Specialty	The minimum home Internet speed required for remote work was set at 30 Mbps. A pharmacy technician in the call center donated 40 Ethernet cords to facilitate hard-wire Internet connections to reach this speed on the VPN.
USB headsets	Specialty	Headsets required for VoIP phone applications were difficult to procure. The team procured adapters (USB to 3.5 mm) to enable the use of personal headphones.

Abbreviation: HIPAA, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; USB, universal serial bus; VPN, virtual private network; VoIP, voice over Internet protocol.