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ObjectiveAs a high-efficiency demanding department in a hospital, the outpatient pharmacy has a great need for quality improvement to provide superior medical service for patients. Little is known about the application of 5S management in a hospital pharmacy department. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impacts of 5S management on pharmaceutical service quality and staff capacity in the outpatient-emergency pharmacy.MethodsWe carried out a 5S project in the outpatient-emergency pharmacy at a local hospital that involved processes including waste elimination, workplace standardisation, and optimisation of workflow and staff quality, and then evaluated the effects of the project.ResultsThe equipment and items in the outpatient-emergency pharmacy were sorted. All the drugs were categorised and put in order. The redesigned workspace and standardised workflow during the project improved the accuracy and efficiency of drug dispensing. The satisfaction rate of patients regarding the pharmaceutical service quality in the outpatient-emergency pharmacy was elevated, as well as the satisfaction rate of pharmacists about their work experiences. The optimisation of objective conditions also stimulated a positive working attitude and professional ability promotion of pharmacists in the outpatient-emergency pharmacy.ConclusionsIn this study, the 5S management method has proven useful for quality and efficiency improvement in the outpatient-emergency pharmacy, and could be generalised to other departments in a hospital, which provides further evidence of the advantages of the Lean tool in healthcare system management.

A recent study conducted by Kaohsiung Medical University examined racial and ethnic disparities in the treatment and survival rates of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The study analyzed data from 6,069 patients from the United States and Asia and found that Black patients were more likely to have advanced stages of HCC compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Treatment rates with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) were suboptimal across all groups. However, the study also found that racial and ethnic disparities resolved with HCV cure, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and improved access to HCV treatment for all patients. [Extracted from the article]

2024 JAN 27 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week -- Current study results on hepatitis C virus have been published. According to [...]