Optimization of the medication circuit from Pharmacy to Hospital at Home in a urban hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Severe inefficiencies were detected in the circuits between the Hospitalary Pharmacy Service (HPS) and the Home Hospital at Home Service (HaH), which led to an analysis, with the support of Quality, and the definition and subsequent implementation of various improvement actions.

Method: Analysis of the flow of medication between HPS and HaH at Hospital Dos de Maig. The proposed objectives were to reduce interruptions to professionals, increase the efficiency of circuits, and ensure the availability of medication. Inefficiencies were identified in the system of requesting and dispensing medication, and mismatches in the supply and review of the stock. A change of dispensation model was agreed, the stock was adjusted, revisions of the same were expedited, and a new application tool was applied via computer medication.

Results: The HaH team achieved greater autonomy, interruptions between both services were reduced and dispensing became safer. The overall dispensing of out-of-stock drugs decreased by 61%, and HPS technicians gained almost half an hour a day.

Conclusions: The change in logistics between HPS and HaH has been very positive, obtaining important achievements, which have a positive impact on the organization and the safety of the patient, with a flow of medications more fluid and efficient, and the systematic recording of deliveries which increases the security of dispensing.