Introduction of Unit-Dose Care in the 1,125 Bed Teaching Hospital: Practical Experience and Time Saving on Wards

Saskia Herrmann,1,2 Jana Giesel-Gerstmeier,1 Thomas Steiner,3,4 Florian Lendholt,5 Dominic Fenske1 1Hospital Pharmacy, Helios Kliniken GmbH, Berlin, Berlin, Germany; 2Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Thuringia, Germany; 3Department of Urology, Helios Klinikum Erfurt, Erfurt, Thuringia, Germany; 4Medicine, HMU Health and Medical University Erfurt, Erfurt, Thuringia, Germany; 5Management, Helios Klinikum Erfurt, Erfurt, Thuringia, GermanyCorrespondence: Dominic Fenske, Hospital Pharmacy, Helios Kliniken GmbH, Friedrichstraße 136, Berlin, Berlin, 10117, Germany, Tel +49 361 781 71100, Fax +49 361 781 71105, Email dominic.fenske@helios-gesundheit.dePurpose: The shortage of nursing staff as well as the slow progress in the German health care system’s digitalisation has gained much attention due to COVID-19. Patient-specific medication management using the unit-dose dispensing system (UDDS) has the potential for a lasting and positive influence on both digitalisation and the relief of nursing staff.Methods: Nursing staff UDDS-acceptance was determined via a validated online survey. For the evaluation of stock keeping on the wards, the delivery quantities were determined for a comparative period before and after the introduction of the UDDS. The time required for on-ward medication-related processes on ward before and after the introduction of UDDS was recorded based on a survey form and the nursing relief in full-time equivalent (FTE) was calculated using the data obtained.Results: We show that nurses appreciate the UDDS and confirm a significant reduction in drug stocks on the wards. The UDDS reduces the time needed to dispense medications from 4.52 ± 0.35 min to 1.67 ± 0.15 min/day/patient. In relation to the entire medication process, this corresponds to a reduction of 50% per day and per patient. Based on 40,000 patients/year and a supply of 1,125 beds with unit-dose blisters, 7.36 FTE nursing staff can be relieved per year. In contrast, 6.5 FTE in the hospital pharmacy are required for supplying the hospitals.Conclusion: UDDS is well accepted by nurses, reduces stock levels on ward, and fulfils criteria as a nursing-relief measure.Keywords: unit dose drug distribution systems, medication therapy management, nursing staff