To investigate the relationship between stationing pharmacists in a ward and the proper use of drugs,we conducted a survey of the number of corrections made to prescriptions.The survey focused on dose regimen,dosage,date of beginning to take drug,suspension,deletion,and result of correction.We also examined the possibility of discovering errors in prescriptions in the dispensing room.In addition,we investigated the difference between the number of corrections to prescriptions between interns and other doctors and sent out questionnaires on stationing pharmacists in wards to doctors and nurses with a view to making further improvements in the future.
The number of corrections to prescriptions increased by 250% after a pharmacist was stationed in the digestive surgery ward with corrections in the“change to dose regimen or dosage”and“change in time of taking drugs”categories increasing about 3-and 8-fold,respectively.This increase in the number of corrections to prescriptions was due to the pharmacist in the ward gathering a large amount of information on patients and/or better communication between them and other medical staff.
The need for the above corrections to prescriptions was difficult to discover in a normal inspection in the dispensing room.It was also considered difficult to swiftly address the issue of prescription errors through teaching other medical staff about medications once a week.
The results of our questionnaire survey showed that stationing pharmacists in wards was very helpful in ensuring the proper use of drugs and enhancing the safety of drug therapy through the prevention of medical errors.This was largely due to an increase in the amount of available information on patients and/or better communication between the pharmacist and other medical staff.
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