Medication Dispensing by Pharmacy Technicians Improves Efficiency and Patient Safety at a Geriatric Ward at a Danish Hospital: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate medication dispensing by pharmacy technicians at a geriatric inpatient ward at a Danish hospital.

METHODS: Four pharmacy technicians were trained in delivering a dispensing service at a geriatric ward. At baseline, the ward nurses recorded the time spent dispensing the medication and the number of interruptions. Similar recordings were completed twice during the period in which the pharmacy technicians delivered the dispensing service. Satisfaction among the ward staff with the dispensing service was assessed by a questionnaire. Reported medication errors were collected during the dispensing service period and compared to a similar time period during the previous two years.

RESULTS: The time spent on dispensing medications was on average reduced with 1.4 h per day ranging from 4.7 to 3.3 h per day when the pharmacy technicians performed the service. Interruptions during the dispensing process decreased from a daily average of more than 19 times to an average of 2-3 per day. The nursing staff reported positive feedback on the medication dispensing service provided, especially about easing their workload. There was a tendency toward decreased reporting of medication errors.

CONCLUSION: The medication dispensing service performed by the pharmacy technicians reduced time spent on dispensing medication and increased patient safety by reducing interruptions during the process and decreasing the number of medication errors reported.