Authors: (including presenting author): :
Ho ST(1), Chan NC (1), Mak CK(1), Chan WYM(1), Mak LKK(1), Lai KM(2), Wong CYJ(2)
Affiliation: :
(1)Department of Pharmacy, Tseung Kwan O Hospital, (2)Chief Pharmacist Office
Introduction: :
Inpatient Pharmacy used only one printer for generation of all medication labels, resulting the need of manual process of locating correct drug shelf and the process was time consuming. In 2019, Chief Pharmacist Office (CPO) developed Inpatient Label Triage, allowing Pharmacy to set multiple medication picking stations according to locations for Inpatient dispensing. TKOH implemented the system in June 2019.
Objectives: :
(1) Investigate dispensing efficiency of Inpatient Label Triage (2) Analyze its impact on medication safety
Methodology: :
Dispensing of drug refill of 3 medical wards was investigated with time motion study. Time spent on various dispensing processes of manual dispensed medications was recorded and analyzed. Data was collected for 14 days before and after implementation of Inpatient Label Triage. Reports on dispensing near miss six months before and after implementation were evaluated as well.
Result & Outcome: :
33% drop in average total dispensing time was found for 3 study wards (29 vs 19min). However, during the study period, 4 items were added as ward stock and 6 items were dispensed by dispensing machine instead of manually. After adjusting the number of medications dispensed manually, there was still a 16% reduction on dispensing time (11 vs 9second/item). With around 640 manual dispensed medications daily, total dispensing time was estimated to be shortened by 20 minutes.
Total number of dispensing near miss had a marked reduction of 29% (61vs 43), but increased reports on errors related to “similar item code” were noted, it was most probably due to the change in printing sequence from location codes to alphabetical order of item code. The issue will be addressed in future system enhancement.
Inpatient Label Triage clearly increases dispensing efficacy and enhances medication safety, with benefits of reducing the risk of locating wrong medication shelf and thus dispensing errors. It also allowed better utilization of manpower resources.
