Clinical Pharmacy and Unit Dose for the Small Hospital

Abstract

Nursing service wanted a system that would reduce the work load of nursing personnel and place the medication responsibilities on the pharmacist. After a study was completed, we found that the nurse was spending the majority of her time preparing medications to be given.

The unit dose system gives the medication responsibility to the pharmacist and gives the nurse more time for patient care. In the pharmacy, medications are prepared by technicians and checked by a pharmacist, then rechecked by a nurse before they are issued to the patient.

One nurse gives routine medications throughout the hospital. A nurse for each unit is assigned to give the PRN's and also to give patient care.

The patients have noticed a change in our distribution of medications. The patients get their PRN medications when they ask for them, not five or ten minutes later, and routine medications are given on schedule.

The business office has noticed a reduction in their work load, because the pharmacy charges are turned in every third day and credits are almost eliminated. The business office has fewer complaints on medication charges because patients are charged for medication they receive, not a three- to five-day supply of medications that are sent to the nursing station.