The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7311 p177
7 August 2004

This article
Reprint   Photocopy

  Acrobat Reader

News summary

Pharmacy-led drug round improves supply process

A pharmacy-led drug administration round is now up and running on one of the surgical wards at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Huntingdon, and has resulted in several improvements to the ward's medicines supply process.

Senior pharmacy technician Denise Holding has taken on responsibility for a regular drug administration round, which she undertakes unaccompanied. She has developed a checklist for drug administration and, along with the ward’s modern matron, has drafted protocols and training material so that other pharmacy technicians can be trained in the role. The pharmacy-based system has been incorporated into the trust’s existing drug administration policy and discussions are now taking place to see if it can be extended to other wards.

Darren Leech, senior pharmacy manager at the hospital, explained that the scheme came about because the ward was finding it difficult to recruit and retain nursing staff, which in turn caused problems for the medicines round. “So we looked at what staff were doing and how the gap could be filled. It was part of an overall trust initiative looking at skill mix,” he said.

The new style drug round, in which oral medicines are dispensed and administered by Mrs Holding, has brought a number of benefits. “I have my own trolley key and can ensure security is maintained at all times,” she said. Under the new system, the drug round is also completed more quickly and medicines are issued in a more timely way. This is because Mrs Holding does not have to contend with the usual interruptions faced by nursing staff dealing with queries on the ward. Furthermore, because Mrs Holding is familiar with packaging changes and new products ordered by pharmacy she is able to locate medicines in the drug trolley quickly. Another benefit is better communication between the ward and pharmacy department. “I have a better understanding of how the ward is affected by stock shortages and ward staff have a better understanding of how pharmacy works,” Mrs Holding added.

Mr Leech thinks that taking responsibility for drug administration will ensure that pharmacy’s involvement in medicines supply is complete. “We have all signed up to the medicines management agenda but perhaps this is the missing link. Should we look at this as the next step so that we truly manage supply from when medicines arrive in the hospital until they reach the patient,” he asked.