5PSQ-150 Monitoring of personalised therapies dispensed through automated unit dose drug dispensing system
Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Background and Importance Medication errors are any preventable events that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use, or patient harm and they represent the most frequent cause of injury among inpatients. Innovative approaches to mitigate medication errors are centred on Closed Loop Medication Management Systems (CLMMS), incorporating automated Unit Dose Distribution Systems (UDDS), drug cabinets and barcode labelling for bedside scanning. Aim and Objectives The present study seeks to monitor the non-conformities of single unit dose packages produced in a hospital pharmacy. The aim is to improve patients’ safety and enhance the quality standard of the institute’s clinical pharmacy service. Material and Methods Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the non-conformities of single unit dose packages produced between 1 January and 31 August 2024, were conducted. The analysis was carried out using daily production reports and checklists. Results The total unit dose packages produced during the period considered were 131169, while the number of non-conformities found was 119 (0.09%). Specifically, 14 (0.07%) in January, 9 (0.05%) in February, 27 (0.14%) in March, 26 (0.15%) in April, 13 (0.08%) in May, 5 (0.03%) in June, 16 (0.10%) in July, and 9 (0.09%) in August. The main reasons for non-conformities included: 91 (76.47%) damaged packaging, 26 (21.85%) damaged drugs, and 2 (1.68%) absence of the drug within the packaging. Drugs in which non-conformities were detected included: tacrolimus 22 (18.49%), mycophenolate mofetil 12 (10.08%), and furosemide 12 (10.08%). The dosage form with non-conformities were tablets 66 (55.46%), capsules 40 (33.61%), vials 7 (5.88%), and granules 6 (5.04%). Conclusion and Relevance The number of non-conformities analysed was in line with the annual target (<1%). No potentially harmful discrepancies, such as mismatches between the labels on the unit dose packages and their contents or production reports, were found. The automated unit dose drug dispensing system proved to be a useful tool for reducing medication errors and costs, enhance drug therapy safety and quality of care. References and/or Acknowledgements Hänninen K, Ahtiainen HK, Suvikas-Peltonen EM, Tötterman AM. Automated unit dose dispensing systems producing individually packaged and labelled drugs for inpatients: a systematic review. Eur J Hosp Pharm. 2023 May;30(3):127–135. doi: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2021-003002 Conflict of Interest No conflict of interest
Authors: M Gallina, A Gallina, A Carollo, A Provenzani
Language: English
Subfield: Emergency Medical Services
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4408376447