Implementing technologies to prevent medication errors at a high-complexity hospital: analysis of cost and results / Implantação de tecnologias para prevenção de erros de medicação em hospital de alta complexidade: análise de custos e resultados

ABSTRACT Objective: To calculate the cost and assess the results on implementing technological resources that can prevent medication errors. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive-exploratory, quantitative study (2007-2015), in the model of case study at a hospital in the Brazilian Southeastern Region. The direct cost of each technology was calculated in the drug chain. Technological efficacy was observed from the reported series of the indicator incidence of medication errors. Results: Thirteen technologies were identified to prevent medication errors. The average cost of these technologies per year in the prescription stage was R$ 3.251.757,00; in dispensing, R$ 2.979.397,10; and in administration, R$ 4.028.351,00. The indicator of medication error incidence decreased by 97.5%, gradually between 2007 to 2015, ranging from 2.4% to 0.06%. Conclusion: The average cost per year of the organization to implement preventive technologies in the drug chain totaled up R$ 10.259.505,10. There was an average investment/year of R$ 55,72 per patient and its association with smaller indicator of incidence of medication errors confirms a satisfactory result in this reported series regarding such investment.

RESUMO Objetivo: Calcular o custo e avaliar os resultados da implantação de tecnologias que podem prevenir o erro de medicação. Métodos: Estudo descritivo-exploratório, retrospectivo (2007-2015), quantitativo, nos moldes de estudo de caso em instituição hospitalar da Região Sudeste do Brasil. Calculou-se o custo direto de cada tecnologia na cadeia medicamentosa. A eficácia das tecnologias foi verificada a partir da série histórica do indicador de incidência de erro de medicação. Resultados: Para prevenção do erro de medicação, foram identificadas 13 tecnologias. O custo médio/ano dessas tecnologias na etapa de prescrição foi R$ 3.251.757,00; na dispensação, R$ 2.979.397,10; e na administração, R$ 4.028.351,00. O indicador de incidência de erro de medicação apresentou queda de 97,5%, de forma gradual entre 2007 a 2015, variando de 2,4% a 0,06%. Conclusão: O custo médio/ano para a instituição das tecnologias preventivas na cadeia medicamentosa totalizou R$ 10.259.505,10. Houve investimento médio/ano de R$ 55,72 por paciente. Sua associação com a redução do indicador de incidência de erros de medicação na série histórica apresentada reitera um resultado satisfatório para tal investimento.

Impact assessment of an automated drug-dispensing system in a tertiary hospital

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the costs and patient safety of a pilot implementation of an automated dispensing cabinet in a critical care unit of a private tertiary hospital in São Paulo/Brazil. METHODS: This study considered pre- (January-August 2013) and post- (October 2013-October 2014) intervention periods. We considered the time and cost of personnel, number of adverse events, audit adjustments to patient bills, and urgent requests and returns of medications to the central pharmacy. Costs were evaluated based on a 5-year analytical horizon and are reported in Brazilian Reals (R$) and US dollars (USD). RESULTS: The observed decrease in the mean number of events reported with regard to the automated drug-dispensing system between pre- and post-implementation periods was not significant. Importantly, the numbers are small, which limits the power of the mean comparative analysis between the two periods. A reduction in work time was observed among the nurses and administrative assistants, whereas pharmacist assistants showed an increased work load that resulted in an overall 6.5 hours of work saved/day and a reduction of R$ 33,598 (USD 14,444) during the first year. The initial investment (R$ 206,065; USD 88,592) would have been paid off in 5 years considering only personnel savings. Other findings included significant reductions of audit adjustments to patient hospital bills and urgent requests and returns of medications to the central pharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of the positive impact of this technology on personnel time and costs and on other outcomes of interest is important for decision making by health managers.

Beneficios económicos del uso de un sistema de dispensación en dosis unitarias en hospitales del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social / Economic benefits of using a dose dispensing system at hospital units of the Mexican Institute of Social Security

Objetivo. Estimar los potenciales beneficios económicos en el Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) respecto al gasto en medicamentos de un sistema de dispensación en dosis unitarias, con base en la bibliografía especializada. Material y métodos. Se realizó una revisión sistemática para identificar el ahorro en medicamentos y errores de medicación. Se cuantificó el gasto total y promedio en medicamentos por nivel de atención médica utilizando las recetas colectivas dispensadas en el IMSS durante 2009. Se aplicaron tres escenarios de ahorro. Resultados. El ahorro total estimado en medicamentos varía de 870.49 a 4 050.05 millones de pesos (mdp). La reducción de los errores de medicación puede contribuir con un ahorro adicional hasta de 3 445.56 mdp. Conclusión. La dispensación por dosis unitaria genera oportunidades de ahorro en el segundo y tercer nivel de atención. El mayor beneficio económico se observó para este último.

Objective. To estimate the potential economic benefits at The Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS per its abbreviation in spanish) according to the drug expenditure of using drug dispensing system, based on literature information. Materials and methods. A systematic review was performed to identify savings from drugs and reduction of medication errors. The total and mean health expenditure by level of medical attention was calculated using the dispensed collective prescriptions at IMSS during 2009. Three savings scenarios were applied. Results. The total drug savings were in a range of 870.49 Mexican million pesos to 4050.05 Mexican million pesos. Reductions of medication errors can contribute with additional savings up to 3455.56 Mexican million pesos. Conclusion. The drug dispensing system unit generates savings opportunities at the second and third level of attention. The maximum economic benefit was observed in the last level.

Contribuiçäo ao estudo de utilizaçäo de medicamentos em enfermaria de clínica médica e à organizaçäo de informações técnicas sobre medicamentos na instituiçäo hospitalar / Contribution to drug utilization study in general ward and to the organization of hospital drug information

Visando o desenvolvimento de metodologia para organizaçäo e disponibilizaçäo de informações técnicas atualizadas sobre medicamentos padronizados no Hospital, desenvolveu-se banco de dados computadorizado com informações sobre a nomenclatura do medicamento, suas diferentes especialidades farmacêuticas, restrições de prescriçäo, orientaçäo de receituário e classes terapêuticas. Esse foi adotado pela institutiçäo e resultou na ediçäo do novo Guia Farmacoterapêutico do HC-FMUSP. Desenvolveu-se estudo de utilizaçäo de medicamentos em Enfermaria de Clínica Geral para identificaçäo do perfil de prescriçäo e de gasto em medicamentos, visando apontar possíveis intervenções para racionalizaçäo...