ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:To reduce the error rate of inventory in the automated pharmacy of our hospital. METHODS:Activi-ties were designed and implemented by the management method of quality control circles(QCC)-PDCA(Plan,Do,Check and Ac-tion)cycle. The reasons for the errors of inventory in the automated pharmacy were analyzed to investigate and implement counter-measures. Visible and invisible achievements were evaluated,and then standardized processes were made. RESULTS:The errors of inventory in the automated pharmacy mainly included those of drug dispensing,drug shelving,drug return sheet,automatic medi-cine dispensing machine and system. In view of the above reasons,relevant standards were formulated and performed,including the process of warehouse-out check and shelving of drugs,drug dispensing process for the automated pharmacy,the process of sec-ondary check,etc. After the implementation of the activities,the error rate of inventory in the automated pharmacy reduced from 9.17% to 3.77%,which was visible achievement;and the above-mentioned standardized processes could ensure continuous run-ning of PDCA cycle. The practice,sense of responsibility,communication and coordination of management members in PDCA cy-cle namely invisible achievements were improved to some extent. CONCLUSIONS:The management method of QCC-PDCA cycle is feasible in reduction of the error rate of inventory in the automated pharmacy,which can provide a reference for automated phar-macy management.