[Medication safety in hospitals]

Med Monatsschr Pharm. 2012 Apr;35(4):140-51.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Drug therapy is one of the most common therapeutic interventions in the medical care of in-patients. It is a complex risk-associated procedure, which is why risk prevention is of top priority in medication safety. Medical care in hospitals is organised via various forms of distribution, e.g. the traditional distribution on the ward or as computerised unit dose drug dispensing system. In order to improve medication safety, the computerised unit dose drug dispensing system was introduced in the Ruppiner Kliniken in 2009. The implementation of the system to the clinic was scientifically evaluated within the scope of a diploma thesis which focused on the examination and analysis of medication safety and its evolvement. Amongst others, medication errors were detected and classified (via DokuPIK). The thesis showed that the implementation of the computerised unit dose system had a positive impact on the reduction of consequences of common and clinically relevant medication errors, thereby enhancing medication safety for the patient.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions*
  • Hospitals*
  • Humans
  • Medication Errors / prevention & control
  • Medication Systems, Hospital
  • Patient Safety
  • Pharmacy Service, Hospital