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<b>Objective: </b>Optimizing the time of ingestion and avoiding overdose are important aspects of medication therapy. However, seeking explanations for selecting the time of ingestion and maximum dose for a certain drug is time consuming. The aim of this study is to develop a database (DB) that enables a rapid search of the basis for the time of ingestion and maximum dose setting.<br><b>Methods: </b>The basis for the time of ingestion and maximum dose setting were surveyed for 38 and 184 drugs, respectively. Package inserts, interview forms, and other documents preserved in our department were surveyed, and this was followed by an inquiry of the staff of pharmaceutical companies. Standard responses to a prescription with incorrect timing or dosage were determined and included into a DB together with information whose quality was dissected. The efficiency of DB was evaluated: the time taken to obtain information and consistency of inquiries to clarify doubts concerning prescription with the use of DB and without the use DB were compared.<br><b>Results: </b>The information of newer drugs, but not of the older drugs, were easily obtained without the need to inquire the staff of the pharmaceutical companies. Operation of the DB was convenient and was acceptable for most pharmacists working in our department. The DB markedly reduced the time taken to obtain information. Further, with the aid of DB, the consistency in the responses to inquiries to clarify doubts concerning a pharmacist’s recommendation was remarkably increased.<br><b>Conclusion: </b>The DB developed in the present study may contribute to the improvement of not only the efficiency but also the quality of dispensation.
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Background : This questionnaire survey was performed to clarify the present status and especially the problems with dispensing herbal medicines and counseling patients.Objectives : To survey 15 pharmacies approved under the National Health Insurance System to dispense herbal medicines prescribed by Department of Japanese Oriental (Kampo) Medicine, Chiba University Hospital.Results : Twelve pharmacies responded that 1,900, the present fee allowed for dispensing herbal medicines, was low. The time for dispensing herbal medicine via an automatic packaging machine was half of that dispensed by humans. Many pharmacies requested a re-evaluation of the fee based on the length of a prescription and the number of herbs in a formula, and requested a re-evaluation of the drug price standards. About half of the pharmacists surveyed also had a poor knowledge of herbal medicines.Conclusion : We suggest that economical aspects of dispensing herbal medicine should be improved to secure more insurance pharmacies which can dispense herbal medicines. There is also a need to construct education systems for pregraduate and postgraduate university students in order to train pharmacists who will have a thorough knowledge of Kampo Medicine.
Asunto(s)
Medicina de Hierbas , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , SeguroRESUMEN
Aims : To clarify any difficulties that pharmacists and nurses may have when prescribing Kampo medicines to newly-admitted patients with a survey questionnaire at a local hospital ward.Methods : Questions for pharmacists on the handling of Kampo herbs, any perceived risks in the preparation of Kampo formulae powder extracts/pills, or in explaining Kampo medicines, based on their experiences. Also questions for nurses on the handling of Kampo medicines, as compared to western medicines, and any perceived risks in their administration at their ward.Result : All 7 pharmacists and 14 out of the 16 nurses surveyed completed their questionnaires. The pharmacists pointed out that Kampo preparation takes more time, although none perceived an increased risk with Kampo medicines, as compared to western medicines. Only 1 pharmacist had ever had experience explaining Kampo medicines to patients. The nurses, on the other hand, felt that Kampo treatments were somewhat more difficult to use, and perceived similar risk in their administration to patients.Conclusion : Both the pharmacists and nurses surveyed believed that the handling of herb medicines was somewhat difficult, but that these difficulties could be overcome with risk management. This suggests that pharmacist, nurse and office personnel education would be useful before Kampo medicines are administered to newly-admitted hospital patients.