Trends in dispensing errors reported in Finnish community pharmacies in 2015-2020: a national retrospective register-based study.

BACKGROUND: Community pharmacies are responsible for dispensing of medicines and related counselling in outpatient care. Dispensing practices have remarkably changed over time, but little is known about how the changes have influenced medication safety. This national study investigated trends in dispensing errors (DEs) related to prescribed medicines, which were reported in Finnish community pharmacies within a 6-year period. METHODS: This national retrospective register study included all DEs reported to a nationally coordinated voluntary DE reporting system by Finnish community pharmacies during 2015-2020. DE rates, DE types, prescription types, individuals who detected DEs and contributing factors to DEs were quantified as frequencies and percentages. Poisson regression was used to assess the statistical significance of the changes in annual DE rates by type. RESULTS: During the study period, altogether 19 550 DEs were reported, and the annual number of error reports showed a decreasing trend (n = 3 913 in 2015 vs. n = 2 117 in 2020, RR 0.54, p < 0.001). The greatest decrease in reported DEs occurred in 2019 after the national implementation of the Medicines Verification System (MVS) and the additional safety feature integrated into the MVS process. The most common error type was wrong dispensed strength (50% of all DEs), followed by wrong quantity or pack size (13%). The annual number of almost all DE types decreased, of which wrong strength errors decreased the most (n = 2121 in 2015 vs. n = 926 in 2020). Throughout the study period, DEs were most commonly detected by patients (50% of all DEs) and pharmacy personnel (30%). The most reported contributing factors were factors related to employees (36% of all DEs), similar packaging (26%) and similar names (21%) of medicinal products. CONCLUSIONS: An overall decreasing trend was identified in the reported DEs and almost all DE types. These changes seem to be associated with digitalisation and new technologies implemented in the dispensing process in Finnish community pharmacies, particularly, the implementation of the MVS and the safety feature integrated into the MVS process. The role of patients and pharmacy personnel in detecting DEs has remained central regardless of changes in dispensing practices.

Accidental paediatric ingestion of amlodipine after pharmacy dispensing error.

Incorrect dispensing of medications by community pharmacies can lead to accidental poisonings. This may not be considered by emergency medicine physicians in patients describing vague symptoms. We present a case of a paediatric ingestion of amlodipine, resulting from a community pharmacy dispensing error, that was recognized by the child's mother, and consider the liability implications.

A Survey of Near-Miss Dispensing Errors in Hospital Pharmacies in Japan: DEPP-J Study-Multi-Center Prospective Observational Study-

The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of near-miss dispensing errors in hospital pharmacies in Japan. A prospective multi-center observational study was conducted between December 2018 and March 2019. The primary objective was to determine the proportion of near-miss dispensing errors in hospital pharmacy departments. The secondary objective was to determine the predictive factors for near-miss dispensing errors using multiple logistic regression analysis. The study was approved by the ethical committee at The Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Japan. A multi-center prospective observational study was conducted in 20 hospitals comprising 8862 beds. Across the 20 hospitals, we assessed data from 553 pharmacists and 53039 prescriptions. A near-miss dispensing error proportion of 0.87% (n = 461) was observed in the study. We found predictive factors for dispensing errors in day-time shifts: a higher number of drugs in a prescription, higher number of quantified drugs, such as liquid or powder formula, in a prescription, and higher number of topical agents in a prescription; but we did not observe for career experience level for clinical pharmacists. For night-time and weekend shifts, we observed a negative correlation of near-miss dispensing errors with clinical pharmacist experience level. We found an overall incidence of near-miss dispensing errors of 0.87%. Predictive factors for errors in night-time and weekend shifts was inexperienced pharmacists. We recommended that pharmacy managers should consider education or improved work flow to avoid near-miss dispensing errors by younger pharmacists, especially those working night or weekend shifts.

Evaluating the safety and efficiency of robotic dispensing systems.

BACKGROUND: Although automated dispensing robots have been implemented for medication dispensing in Japan, their effect is yet to be fully investigated. In this study, we evaluated the effect of automated dispensing robots and collaborative work with pharmacy support staff on medication dispensing. METHODS: A robotic dispensing system integrating the following three components was established: (1) automated dispensing robot (Drug Station®), which is operated by pharmacy support staff, (2) automated dispensing robot for powdered medicine (Mini DimeRo®), and (3) bar-coded medication dispensing support system with personal digital assistance (Hp-PORIMS®). Subsequently, we evaluated the incidences of dispensing errors and dispensing times before and after introducing the robotic dispensing system. Dispensing errors were classified into two categories, namely prevented dispensing errors and unprevented dispensing errors. The incidence of dispensing errors was calculated as follows: incidence of dispensing errors = total number of dispensing errors/total number of medication orders in each prescription. RESULTS: After introducing the robotic dispensing system, the total incidence of prevented dispensing errors was significantly reduced (0.204% [324/158,548] to 0.044% [50/114,111], p < 0.001). The total incidence of unprevented dispensing errors was significantly reduced (0.015% [24/158,548] to 0.002% [2/114,111], p < 0.001). The number of cases of wrong strength and wrong drug, which can seriously impact a patient's health, reduced to almost zero. The median dispensing time of pharmacists per prescription was significantly reduced (from 60 to 23 s, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The robotic dispensing system enabled the process of medication dispensing by pharmacist to be partially and safely shared with automated dispensing robots and pharmacy support staff. Therefore, clinical care for patients by pharmacists could be enhanced by ensuring quality and safety of medication.

Systematic analysis of drug dispensing errors and preventive measures in outpatient pharmacies / 药学实践杂志

Objective To understand the current situation of dispensing errors and effective prevention and control measures in outpatient pharmacies in domestic hospitals, in order to further improve the quality of drug dispensing. Methods The Chinese journal database was retrieved from 2015 to 2020 for the literature on the dispensing errors of outpatient pharmacies and the continuous improvement of the quality after the measures were taken in secondary and tertiary hospitals. Results Of the 146 literatures retrieved, 13 were included in the analysis (11 in tertiary hospitals and 2 in secondary hospitals). Before the improvement, the median of the drug dispensing error rate was 5.1‰, and after the improvement it was 1.1‰. Before and after the improvement, the types of drug dispensing errors were mainly quantity errors (52.5% vs. 51.3%), variety errors (28.3% vs. 28.7%), specifications and dosage forms errors (6.2% vs. 6.7%), and labeling errors (2.1% vs. 2.9%). The improvement measures taken for the reasons of dispensing errors have a high overlap rate, and they are concentrated in two aspects: personnel factors and drug factors. Conclusion The use of continuous quality improvement tools in hospital outpatient pharmacy to control and prevent dispensing errors is still a hotspot of current research. The composition of the types of errors after improvement has basically not changed. The implemen-tation of standardized operating procedures and other continuous improvement comprehensive measures can effectively reduce the incidence of dispensing errors, and contribute to the implementation of the “Expert Consensus on Medication Error Management in China”.

Medication error trends in Middle Eastern countries: A systematic review on healthcare services.

Medication errors (MEs) are a critical worldwide concern and can cause genuine clinical ramifications for patients. Studies concerning such errors have not been undertaken as much in the Middle Eastern region. The aim of this study was to systematically review and identify studies done in the Middle Eastern nations to recognize the principle contributory factors included and to estimate the prevalence in the region. A review of the retrospective, prospective, cohort, and case-control studies based on MEs in the Middle Eastern nations was directed in January 2020 utilizing the accompanying databases: Embase, Medline, PubMed, Ebsco, Cochrane, Scopus, and Prospero. The search methodology incorporated all ages and in English only dating back to 2010. The search methodology included articles about MEs in the Middle East with errors in people of all ages, articles in English, and articles dating back to 2010. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses appraisal instrument was used to assess the quality of the included articles. Individual data extraction, pooled analysis, and the accompanying databases were used for data analysis of the MEs in eligible studies. Fifteen of the 18 articles reviewed from four Middle Eastern countries had low risk of bias, while three out of 18 had medium risk of bias. A total of 58,221 reported people were studied, with a total of 34,730.9 reported MEs. The pooled analysis showed that numbers of errors were mainly prescribing errors (n = 22,715.25), general prescription errors (n = 8097.16), and commission errors (n = 158.2). Iran had the highest rate amid the reported administration errors, at 25.07% (599.11/2388.9). Measuring a patient's clinical laboratory values was another less common type of prescription ME. Lebanon reported to have the highest monitoring errors, with a rate of 13.13% (277.91/2117). A negative trend was shown in the amount of MEs in the vast majority of the nations under the examination. The under-reporting or uncertain information recommended that significan changes are needed in the healthcare sector. There is solid need of literature on healthcare services in the region to completely understand and address the MEs and issues.

Interventions to Reduce Medication Dispensing, Administration, and Monitoring Errors in Pediatric Professional Healthcare Settings: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Pediatric patients cared for in professional healthcare settings are at high risk of medication errors. Interventions to improve patient safety often focus on prescribing; however, the subsequent stages in the medication use process (dispensing, drug administration, and monitoring) are also error-prone. This systematic review aims to identify and analyze interventions to reduce dispensing, drug administration, and monitoring errors in professional pediatric healthcare settings. Methods: Four databases were searched for experimental studies with separate control and intervention groups, published in English between 2011 and 2019. Interventions were classified for the first time in pediatric medication safety according to the "hierarchy of controls" model, which predicts that interventions at higher levels are more likely to bring about change. Higher-level interventions aim to reduce risks through elimination, substitution, or engineering controls. Examples of these include the introduction of smart pumps instead of standard pumps (a substitution control) and the introduction of mandatory barcode scanning for drug administration (an engineering control). Administrative controls such as guidelines, warning signs, and educational approaches are lower on the hierarchy and therefore predicted by this model to be less likely to be successful. Results: Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria, including 1 study of dispensing errors, 7 studies of drug administration errors, and 12 studies targeting multiple steps of the medication use process. A total of 44 interventions were identified. Eleven of these were considered higher-level controls (four substitution and seven engineering controls). The majority of interventions (n = 33) were considered "administrative controls" indicating a potential reliance on these measures. Studies that implemented higher-level controls were observed to be more likely to reduce errors, confirming that the hierarchy of controls model may be useful in this setting. Heterogeneous study methods, definitions, and outcome measures meant that a meta-analysis was not appropriate. Conclusions: When designing interventions to reduce pediatric dispensing, drug administration, and monitoring errors, the hierarchy of controls model should be considered, with a focus placed on the introduction of higher-level controls, which may be more likely to reduce errors than the administrative controls often seen in practice. Trial Registration Prospero Identifier: CRD42016047127.

A study of medication errors during the prescription stage in the pediatric critical care services of a secondary-tertiary level public hospital.

BACKGROUND: Medication Errors (MEs) are considered the most common type of error in pediatric critical care services. Moreover, the ME rate in pediatric patients is up to three times higher than the rate for adults. Nevertheless, information in pediatric population is still limited, particularly in emergency/critical care practice. The purpose of this study was to describe and analyze MEs in the pediatric critical care services during the prescription stage in a Mexican secondary-tertiary level public hospital. METHODS: A cross-sectional study to detect MEs was performed in all pediatric critical care services [pediatric emergency care (PEC), pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and neonatal intermediate care unit (NIMCU)] of a public teaching hospital. A pharmacist identified MEs by direct observation as the error detection method and MEs were classified according to the updated classification for medication errors by the Ruíz-Jarabo 2000 working group. Thereafter, these were subclassified in clinically relevant MEs. RESULTS: In 2347 prescriptions from 301 patients from all critical care services, a total of 1252 potential MEs (72%) were identified, and of these 379 were considered as clinically relevant due to their potential harm. The area with the highest number of MEs was PICU (n = 867). The ME rate was > 50% in all pediatric critical care services and PICU had the highest ME/patient index (13.1). The most frequent MEs were use of abbreviations (50.9%) and wrong speed rate of administration (11.4%), and only 11.7% of the total drugs were considered as ideal medication orders. CONCLUSION: Clinically relevant medication errors can range from mild skin reactions to severe conditions that place the patient's life at risk. The role of pharmacists through the detection and timely intervention during the prescription and other stages of the medication use process can improve drug safety in pediatric critical care services.

Cost-consequence analysis of self-administration of medication during hospitalization: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial in a Danish hospital setting.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the costs and consequences of introducing "self-administration of medication" (SAM) during hospitalization as compared with nurse-led dispensing and administration of medication. METHODS: This pragmatic randomized controlled trial was performed in a Danish Cardiology Unit. Patients ⩾18 years old capable of self-administering medication were eligible. In the intervention group, patients self-administered their medication. In the control group, medication was dispensed and administered by nurses. The implementation of SAM was used to evaluate the cost-consequences. The micro-costing analysis used the hospital perspective and a short-term incremental costing approach. The costs for medication, materials, and nursing time were included. Consequences included the dispensing error proportion, patients' perceptions regarding medication, satisfaction, and deviations in the medication list at follow-up. In addition, the number of readmissions and general practitioner (GP) contacts within 30 days after discharge was included. RESULTS: The total cost (TC) per patient in the intervention group was 49.9€ (95% CI: 46.6-53.2) compared with 52.6€ (95% CI: 46.6-58.6) in the control group. The difference between the groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.09). Sensitivity analysis consistently showed TCs favoring the intervention. The dispensing error proportion was 9.7% (95% CI: 7.9-11.6) in the intervention group compared with 12.8% (95% CI: 10.9-15.6) in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.02). The analysis also found changes in the perceptions regarding medication (indicating higher medication adherence), increased satisfaction, and fewer patients with deviations in the medication list at follow-up. No statistically significant differences between the groups in relation to readmissions and GP contacts within 30 days were observed. CONCLUSIONS: SAM seems to cost less although the cost difference was small and not statistically significant. As SAM had positive effects on patient outcomes, the results indicate that SAM may be cost-effective. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Self-administration of medication: a research study of the costs and consequences Objectives To evaluate the costs and consequences of introducing "self-administration of medication" (SAM) during hospitalization compared to medication dispensed by nurses. Methods This research study included patients ≥18 years capable of self-administering medication and was performed in a Danish cardiology unit. Patients self-administered their own medication during hospitalization in the intervention group, whereas nurses dispensed and administered the medication in the control group. Patients were allocated between groups by randomization. The costs of SAM were analyzed from a hospital perspective and included costs for medication, materials, and nursing time. The consequences included the proportion of dispensing errors, patients' perceptions regarding medication, patient satisfaction, deviations in the medication list at follow-up, the number of readmissions and general practitioner (GP) contacts within 30 days after discharge. Results The total cost per patient was 49.9€ in the intervention group compared to 52.6€ in the control group (p = 0.09). The cost difference between groups was not significant. The proportion of dispensing errors was significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group. In addition the research study found changes in the perceptions regarding medication, increased satisfaction, and fewer patients with deviations in the medication list at follow-up. For readmissions and GP contacts within 30 days no significant differences between groups were found. Conclusion SAM cost less or equal to medication dispensing and administration by nurse. SAM had positive impacts on patient outcomes. Therefore, SAM may be cost-effective.

Fatores associados a erros de dispensação de medicamentos: contribuição à melhoria de sistemas de medicação / Factors associated with medication dispensing errors: contributions to improve medication systems / Factores asociados a errores de dispensación de medicamentos: contribución para mejorar los sistemas de medicación

Objetivo: identificar tipos de erros na dispensação de medicamentos (ED), analisar fatores associados e propor medidaspara prevenção de acidentes. Método: estudo transversal realizado com 5.604 medicamentos dispensados em hospital universitário brasileiro, em 2016/2017. Após obtenção dos dados, pela aplicação de checklist e abertura dos kits de dispensação, utilizou-se regressão hierarquizada ajustada para identificação dos fatores associados ao ED. Resultados: os ED ocorreram em 236 medicamentos e os métodos de cálculo mostraram as taxas: 4,2%, 7,3% e 24,9%. Os principais erros foram de conteúdo por desvio de qualidade e de omissão. No modelo final da regressão, permaneceram associadas ao aumento da chance de ED as variáveis: turno da noite e presença de fonte de interrupção/distração. Conclusão: a frequência de ED foi mais baixa quando se utilizou o método de cálculo do Ministério da Saúde. Os fatores relacionados ao turno noturno e ao uso de fontes de interrupção/distração podem estar associados a ED, especialmente a omissão.

Objective: to identify types of medication dispensing (DE) errors, to analyze its associated factors and to propose action for preventing accidents. Method: a cross-sectional study was performed with 5,604 drugs dispensed in a Brazilian teaching hospital, in 2016/2017. After data collection, by applying a checklist and opening dispensing kits, adjusted hierarchical regression was applied to identify factors associated with DE. Results: DE occurred in 236 medications and calculation methods led to the rates: 4.2%, 7.3%. and 24.9%. The main dispensing errors were related to content, due to quality deviation, and omission. In the final regression model, the following variables remained associated with an increased chance of DE: overnight shift and the presence of interruption/distraction sources. Conclusion: the frequency of DE was low when using the calculation method of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Factors related to the night shift and the use of interruption/distraction sources can be associated with DE, especially those related to omission.

Objetivo: identificar los tipos de errores en la dispensación de medicamentos (ED), analizar los factores asociados y proponer medidas de prevención de accidentes. Método: estudio transversal realizado con 5,604 medicamentos dispensados en un hospital universitario brasileño, en 2016/2017. Después de obtidos los datos, aplicando un checklist y abriendo los kits de dispensación, se utilizó la regresión jerárquica ajustada para identificar los factores asociados con la DE. Resultados: ocurrió ED en 236 medicamentos y los métodos de cálculo mostraron las tasas: 4.2%, 7.3% y 24.9%. Los principales errores fueron de contenido debido a la desviación de calidad y la omisión. En el modelo de regresión final, las variables: turno nocturno y presencia de fuentes de interrupción/distracción permanecieron asociadas con mayor probabilidad de ED. Conclusión: la frecuencia de DE fue menor cuando se utilizó el método de cálculo del Ministerio de Salud. Los factores relacionados con el turno nocturno y el uso de fuentes de interrupción/distracción pueden estar asociados con DE, especialmente la omisión.

A Case of Inappropriate Self-Medication Compounded with Prescribing vis-à-vis Dispensing Errors and the Hazardous Consequence.

INTRODUCTION: Self-medication behavior appears to be a commonplace; and when it is ignorant it may prove dangerous. On the other hand, dispensing errors and consequent adverse outcomes, though not too uncommon, are seldom reported. We report here a case of methotrexateinduced acute vesico-bullous eruptions in a patient of psoriasis who indulged in self-medication and was wrongfully dispensed higher doses of methotrexate. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 50-year-old man was diagnosed with psoriasis two years back and advised tablet methotrexate 20 mg once weekly and folic acid supplementation. He experienced symptoms remission after 8 weeks of treatment and preferred to discontinue the medication. As the psoriatic lesions reappeared four weeks ago, he attended a retail pharmacy for refill of the two-year old prescription. He was obliged by the man in the counter who wrongfully dispensed the medicine and the patient consumed methotrexate 10 mg twice daily. On the 20th days, the patient experienced erythematous, vesico-bullous lesions spread all over the body including both limbs and scalp, with oral mucosal involvement without any history of fever, and with mildly deranged liver function, and presented to the dermatology OPD of a tertiary hospital. He was admitted and treated with injection glucocorticoid and leucovorin. He responded well and completely recovered in a week. A 'probable' causality was adjudged for this serious adverse event by both WHO-UMC scale and Naranjo's algorithm. The reaction was moderately severe (Hartwig's scale) and it was definitively preventable (modified Schumock-Thornton scale). CONCLUSION: This case report highlights the hazard of uninformed Self-medication and irresponsible dispensing behavior resulting in serious drug-related injury.

Analysis of Effect Evaluation of PDCA Cycle Management Intervening in Small Package of TCM Formula Granule Dispensing / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To improve dispensing quality of small package of TCM formula granule, reduce the rate of dispensing error and shorten dispensing time. METHODS:Key influential factors for small package of TCM formula granule dispensing in our hospital were found out from 5 respects of"man,machine,environment,method,material";two cycles of PDCA cycle management intervention were conducted. Dispensing internal error and dispensing time were compared before PDCA cycle management intervention (Jul.-Dec. 2015,group A),first cycle of PDCA cycle management intervention (Jan.-Jun. 2016, group B) and second cycle of PDCA cycle management intervention (Jul.-Dec. 2016,group C),the effects of management were evaluated. RESULTS:By improving dispensing environment,establishing dispensing standard operation procedure,formulating reward and punishment system,staff training,after 2 cycles of PDCA cycle management intervention,the rate of small package of TCM formula granule dispensing error in TCM pharmacy of our hospital decreased from 4.19％(170/4061) before intervention that of group A to 1.69％(85/5043) and 0.98％(53/5408) in group B and C after intervention (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Average dispensing time of each prescription with 7 doses were shortened from(9.08±2.56)min before intervention(group A)to(7.37± 1.98),(5.97±1.64)min in group B and C after intervention(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:PDCA cycle management intervention in our hospital can reduce the rate of small package of TCM formula granule dispensing error and shorten dispensing time.

Practice of Informatization of Adverse Drug Event Management in Outpatient Pharmacy of Our Hospital / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To promote the informatization of adverse drug event(ADE)management in outpatient pharmacy so as to reduce the risk of drug use. METHODS:From the aspect of the construction of two information platforms as problematic prescription management and ADR monitoring record and report,the practice of the informatization of ADE management in outpatient pharmacy of our hospital was introduced;the effects of information management were evaluated by real-time online record for the number of dispensing error and ADE and the number of ADR reported by outpatient pharmacists. RESULTS:The application of ADE management module for outpatient pharmacy developed by our hospital realized the following functions as real-time online record of"suspected prescription",problematic prescription inquiry and summary,ADE report without delay, electronic ADR monitoring and reporting. 148 times of dispensing internal errors during Apr.-Jun. 2017(accounting for 0.035% of total prescription)and 15 ADEs during Jun. 2016-Jun. 2017(accounting for 0.008‰ of total prescription)were recorded in outpatient pharmacy of our hospital. There were 82 ADR cases reported by outpatient physicians using user-friendly electronic ADR monitoring and reporting(accounting for 36.94% of total ADR). CONCLUSIONS:The construction of informatization promotes timely record of related error and adverse events,targeted management and ADR reporting and reduces the risk of drug use.

Practice of PIVAS Quality Management Improved by Quality Control Circle in Our Hospital / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE; To improve the PIVAS quality management, reduce dispensing error and promote the safety of drug use.METHODS: The quality control circle (QCC) was used for quality management in PIVAS of our hospital. The reasons for dispensing errors were analyzed to determine the key improvement points using "the reduction of dispensing error of admixture drugs" as theme. Improvement plan was formulated, and effective countermeasures were determined by PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Action) cycle management. The tangible results (the rate of dispensing errors) and intangible results were compared before (Feb. 2016) and after QCC (Aug. 2016). RESULTS: Some effective measures were formulated and implemented, including unified arrangement, introducing PIVAS MATE process management software, personnel post training, refining drug withdrawal management, visual management, etc. The tangible results included the rate of dispensing error decreased from 1. 81‰ to 0. 53‰; the rate of goal achievement reached 108. 47％; the rate of target progress was 70. 72％. The intangible results included optimizing drug dispensing process, standardizing drug withdrawal systent and personal training system. Those achievement improved confidence, responsibility, sense of cooperation and cohesiveness of QCC members. Additional result was obtained, i. e. utility model patent for avoiding light storage box. CONCLUSIONS: QCC can effectively improve the management quality of PIVAS workflow and the safety of intravenous medication.

Study of Safety Evaluation in Dispensing of Medicines-Analysis of Relationship between Dispensing Error Rate, Inspecting Error Rate, and Malpractice Rate.

In this study, we established a methodology to calculate the rate of overlooking a dispensing error (inspecting error rate) as a new index for the purpose of determining dispensing error and malpractice rates. Using data obtained from analyses of these error rates at our and two other hospitals, an inspecting error rate was calculated for each institution. Our results showed that inspecting errors occurred at a frequency 3-5 times greater as compared to dispensing errors at each of the examined hospitals. We concluded that construction of a higher quality safety management system would be enabled by incorporation of an inspecting error rate as a new index to evaluate medical safety in regard to dispensing of medicines and managing inspection accuracy.

Comparison and Analysis of Work Quality before and after the Implementation of Quality Control Stan-dards and Rules in PIVAS of Our Hospital / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To refine the quality standard of pharmacy intravenous admixture service(PIVAS),and provide refer-ence for improving the work quality of PIVAS. METHODS:Through establishing quality management organization and developing quality standard rules,quality control system for PIVAS in our hospital was constructed and total quality management was conduct-ed. Numbers of quality problems before(Jul. 2013-Jun. 2014)and after(Jul. 2014-Jun. 2015)its implementation were compared, and the effects were evaluated. RESULTS:117 management systems and 14 link quality standards and rules were made,including staff behavior standards,quality standards for drug management,supervision and inspection of quality standards,etc. Numbers of quality problems dropped from 358 to 177 after the implementation,the ratio of dispensing errors accounted for the total dispensing declined from 0.35? to 0.17?(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:The construction of quality control system and the implementation of quality control standards and rules in PIVAS of our hospital has improved the quality of PIVAS work.

Assessing protocol adherence in a clinical trial with ordered treatment regimens: Quantifying the pragmatic, randomized optimal platelet and plasma ratios (PROPPR) trial experience.

BACKGROUND: Medication dispensing errors are common in clinical trials, and have a significant impact on the quality and validity of a trial. Therefore, the definition, calculation and evaluation of such errors are important for supporting a trial's conclusions. A variety of medication dispensing errors can occur. In this paper, we focus on errors in trials where the intervention includes multiple therapies that must be given in a pre-specified order that varies across treatment arms and varies in duration. METHODS: The Pragmatic, Randomized Optimal Platelet and Plasma Ratios (PROPPR) trial was a Phase III multi-site, randomized trial to compare the effectiveness and safety of 1:1:1 transfusion ratios of plasma and platelets to red blood cells with a 1:1:2 ratio. In this trial, these three types of blood products were to be transfused in a pre-defined order that differed by treatment arm. In this paper, we present approaches from the PROPPR trial that we used to define and calculate the occurrence of out of order blood transfusion errors. We applied the proposed method to calculate protocol adherence to the specified order of transfusion in each treatment arm. RESULTS: Using our proposed method, protocol adherence was greater in the 1:1:1 group than in the 1:1:2 group (96% vs 93%) (p<0.0001), although out of order transfusion errors in both groups were low. Final transfusion ratios of plasma to platelets to red blood cells for the 1:1:1 ratio group was 0.93:1.32:1, while the transfusion ratio for the 1:1:2 ratio group was 0.48:0.48:1. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, PROPPR adherence to blood transfusion order pre-specified in the protocol was high, and the required order of transfusions for the 1:1:2 group was more difficult to achieve. The approaches proposed in this manuscript were useful in evaluating the PROPPR adherence and are potentially useful for other trials where a specific treatment orders with varying durations must be maintained.

Influence of Similarity of the Sheet Appearance in Multiple-Specification Drug on Taking Error / 医薬品情報学

<b>Objective: </b>Similarity in drug appearance is one of the major environmental factors influencing dispensing errors, such as picking the wrong medication (picking error).  The purpose of this study is to verify if the index values of appearance similarity calculated objectively for multiple-specification drugs are the factors of picking error.<br><b>Methods: </b>Four variables (number of total prescription, deviation of prescriptions between the specifications, sheet size, and color similarity of the sheet surface) were calculated.  The number of total prescription and deviation of prescriptions were extracted from the dispensing system.  Sheet size and color similarity were calculated, respectively, from the area ratio and by the Histogram Intersection method using the press through package (PTP) sheet image.  To evaluate the relationship between the picking error rate and these four variables, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.<br><b>Results: </b>The number of total prescription and the deviation of prescriptions were not significant factors.  In contrast, sheet size and color similarity significantly influenced the picking error rates.<br><b>Conclusion: </b>Similarity in appearance between multiple-specification drugs is a risk factor of picking error.  When the multiple-specification pair has the same sheet size or high color similarity, one needs to be caution of picking error.  Further, in the pharmaceutical industry, to reduce the risk of dispensing errors, it is desirable to carry out the devise to enhance the identity of each specification.

Operation and Management Practice of Intelligent Access System Used in Emergency Pharmacy in Our Hospital / 中国药师

Objective:To provide reference for the introduction and application of intelligent access system. Methods:The intelli-gent access system and its work process in our hospital were introduced. The application effects in the emergency pharmacy were inves-tigated and the key points that should be paid more attention in the practice were discussed. Results:Comparing with the situation be-fore the application, the system could decrease prescription time by about 26. 1% and reduce walking work intensity by about 5 times, and the drug store room was decreased by about 30%. No dispensing error happened in nearly half a year after the application of the in-telligent access system. Conclusion:The application of intelligent access system in emergency pharmacy is the development trend of the future.

Influence of Medicine Shelf Arrangement on Dispensing Error / 医薬品情報学

<b>Objective: </b>Taking the wrong medicine or medication error is a serious concern to patient safety.  The aim of this study was to statistically survey the relation between the placement of drugs on medicine shelf and the occurrence of error in taking a medicine.<br><b>Methods: </b>The study comprised 2 groups.  The incident group contained 43 cases that were erroneously taken in the Obihiro Kosei General Hospital.  The control group contained 43 drug pairs matched by the similarity index of the drug names from among the drugs used in the hospital at random.  The similarity index of drug names was based on 10 quantitative indicators.  The distance of medicine shelf arrangement was represented by three variables: the horizontal distance, the vertical distance and the distance of shelf block.  Conditional logistic regression analyses of the occurrence of medication errors were performed by evaluating the three variables of the distance factor and their interaction for error in taking a similar-sounding named drugs.<br><b>Results: </b>Conditional logistic regression analysis revealed that the vertical distance (OR: 0.64, 95%CI: 0.42-0.99) and the distance of the shelf block (OR: 0.74, 95%CI: 0.57-0.97) were significant risk-reduction factors of medication errors.  Four variables were extracted as the most suitable logistic regression model in terms of the interaction between them.  As the interaction between 3 variables (the horizontal distance, the vertical distance and the distance of shelf block) was significant (OR: 0.93, 95%CI: 0.86-0.99), they may be considered as synergistic risk-reduction factors.  Moreover, the horizontal distance was found to be a risk-enhancement factor (OR: 1.52, 95%CI: 0.93-2.48).<br><b>Discussion: </b>In order to reduce the risk of medication errors due to similar-sounding drug names, placement of drug on the medicine shelf should take into consideration the three coordinates of the distance factor.