Heparinized bottles for the collection of body cavity fluids in cytopathology.

A method of preparing cytopathology specimen collection bottles with a heparin solution is described. The need and benefits of using heparinized bottles for the collection of body cavity fluids are discussed briefly. The formulation of the heparin solution and procedure for preparation of the bottles are given in detail. Collection techniques are discussed briefly. Use of the heparinized bottles results in more reliable diagnostic procedures.

Preparation of progesterone suppositories.

The manufacture and assay of progesterone suppositories by a hospital pharmacy department are described. The compounding formula and procedures are presented. The product is used to treat luteal phase insufficiency.

A highly automated hospital medication system. Five years' experience and evaluation.

Since 1969, medications have been provided to patients at the Johns Hopkins Hospital using a computer system that controls the entire medication process from entry of physician's order to hourly drug distribution. Special envelopes containing patient and dosage information are computer generated for each dose to be administered. These envelopes, containing individually labelled ready-to-administer doses, are delivered to the nursing units hourly. The system provides daily medication profiles, drug administration histories, discharge summaries, and management and billing reports. Medication errors of commission were 4.6 times more frequent on the traditional nursing units compared to the units with the computer system. Registered nurses spend 56% less time performing medication-related activities on the units served by the computer. For 250 beds, total costs are 7% higher using the computer system. For 450 beds, total costs are 14% lower using the computer system.

Medication errors in a multidose and a computer-based unit dose drug distribution system.

The medication error rates of a hospital's multidose and computer-based unit dose drug distribution systems were compared; in addition, the medication error rate of the unit dose system was compared to that reported for noncomputerized unit dose systems in other hospitals. Two similar adult, medical, patient care units, each serviced by a different drug distribution system, were studied for 60 days. Information about the medications administered was obtained by the disguised observation technique during intermittent periods. The observer's notations on the medications administered were compared to the physicians' orders to determine if errors had been committed. Only medication "errors of commission" were recorded. There were significantly fewer medication errors and significantly fewer medications administered at the wrong time in the unit dose system. The medication error rate associated with the unit dose system compared favorably with that of most other unit dose systems. No particular benefit, in terms of the medication error rate, was attributed to the computer element of the unit dose system.