PSQ1 – Using technology for dispensing and administration: is it always safer?

Link to EAHP Statements
Section 2 – Selection, Procurement and Distribution: Statements – 2.2, 2.7
Section 5 – Patient Safety and Quality Assurance: Statements – 5.1, 5.6, 5.7, 5.10

Abstract
The use of technology in healthcare has become increasingly important in recent years, with many hospitals and healthcare providers adopting new technologies to improve patient outcomes and reduce errors. Artificial intelligence can help prevent dispensing and administration errors by verifying medication labels and dosages. Another technology is the use of pre-packaged medication doses that not only reduces dispensing errors but also streamlines nursing efforts in medication distribution. Nevertheless, new technology also introduces new challenges, resulting in new medication errors that hospital pharmacists need to take into account when implementing these technologies.
Beyond technological solutions, active patient involvement in medication management is imperative. This can be achieved through a variety of methods, such as providing patients with information about their medications, encouraging them to ask questions, and involving them in using their own medication in the hospital. The reuse of home medication in hospitals is an important strategy that could improve patient safety and reduce the time needed for dispensing and administration of medicines. However, also this approach can have limitations, for example when patient’s own medications are expired or damaged.
In conclusion, to reduce dispensing and administration errors, and increase patient safety using technology and the reuse of patients own medication, are both important strategies. This seminar will give insight in the different options and the pitfalls to assist hospital pharmacists in safer dispensing and administration of medicines.

Learning objectives
After the session, the participant should be able to:

• Know the influence of dispensing aids on medication safety and new errors that could arise.
• Know the influence of patients using their own medicines in automated cabinets and the new errors that could arise.
• Apply knowledge about technology in the dispensing and administration of medicines.

Educational need addressed
Pharmacists could advice nurses on the right use of technology in order to reduce dispensing and administration errors on the one hand and to acknowledge the limitations on the other hand. This seminar will focus on the use of technology in the dispensing and administration process to give guidance to pharmacists.

Keywords
Drug use evaluation, interventions, medication safety, medication error.