Dispensing the refilled stock ward medication using total prescribed drug dose of all prescriptions versus each individual prescribed dose.

Abstract

Background : Hospital dispensing considers to refill floor stock medicine for each patient, i.e., external and injection. If prescriptions are summed up, this should reduce workload, e.g., in medical checking, and cuts down cost of materials, i.e., labels and plastic bags.

Objective : Compare dispensing methods: total prescription drug doses of all prescription versus conventional.

Design : Experimental study.

Setting : Obstetrics and Gynecology Dispensary Unit, Department of Pharmacy, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.

Material and Methods : Experimental study was conducted at Obstetrics and Gynecology Dispensary Unit, May - June 2008, 1-month data collection: total prescribed drug doses vs. conventional. Report program phaste 03 detail of data supopr 01 for supplies was used to sum up the prescription group. Inclusion criteria: prescriptions from newborn ward included: alcohol 70%, povidone iodine, normal saline, sterile water for injection, Terramycin^®eye oint., vaseline, vitamin K inj. (Konakion^® 2 mg), triple dye; exclusion criteria: Results take-home prescriptions, other drugs apart from above mentioned. Statistical parameters: 1) average dispensing time and inspection; 2) average cost of materials; and, 3) satisfaction of staff and cost of materials. Statistical analysis: Student's t-test; levels of satisfaction by descriptive statistics.

Results : Six hundred and seventy-three prescriptions were studied; Conclusion number of total prescription doses and the conventional method were, 323 and 350, respectively; average dispensing time and drug checking: 0.19±0.13 min, and 0.96±0.35 min (p = 0.004); cost of dispensing materials: 0.14 ± 0.02 baht and 0.69 ± 0.26 baht (p = 0.008); level of satisfaction of 10 staff members fetching drugs: 100% and 30%, respectively.

Conclusion : Summary of prescriptions decreases dispensing time, cuts down Suggestion cost of materials, and increases staff satisfaction.

Suggestion : Summary of prescriptions can be applied to wards. However, implementation of the new process would require proper introduction to all departments.