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| Name | Class |
|---|---|
| Universiteit Antwerpen | OTHER |
| University of Applied Sciences Utrecht | OTHER |
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The goal of this interventional study is to evaluate the impact of implementing pharmaceutical technical assistants (PTAs) to support the medication process on hospital wards on operational efficiency and medication safety among nurses and pharmaceutical technicial assistants. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Researchers will compare periods with and without the involvement of PTAs in the medication management process on the hospital ward to assess differences in:
During the observed medication dispensation processes, involved nurses and PTAs will:
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| PTAs dispensing medications | Experimental |
|
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical technical assistants supported medication dispensation on the hospital ward | Other | Pharmaceutical technical assistants (PTAs) visit the hospital ward for two hours in the morning or afternoon to dispense medications for admitted patients for the following day. Night nurses then complete any final additions or adjustments as needed. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Time spent on medication dispensation on the hospital ward | Intervention Period: Observing and recording the time the Pharmaceutical Technical Assistant (PTA) spends dispensing medication on the hospital ward. This is followed by observing and recording the time the night nurse takes to complete the medication dispensation for the next day. Control Period: Observing and recording the time the night nurse spends dispensing medication for the next day without PTA involvement. | Data collection was conducted over five days during the control period and five days during the intervention period on each of the included hospital wards. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Dispensing errors | Intervention Period: Verifying the accuracy of medication dispensed by the PTA, including recording the number and type of errors identified. Control Period: Verifying the accuracy of medication dispensed by the night nurse, including recording the number and type of errors identified. | Data collection was conducted over five days during the control period and five days during the intervention period on each of the included hospital wards. |
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Inclusion Criteria for observed medication dispensation moments
Control Period:
Intervention Period:
Exclusion Criteria: Hospital wards that introduced the involvement of PTAs less than six months ago.
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| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brecht Seraes, Doctor | Contact | +3237602039 | brecht.serraes@vitaz.be | |
| Marjan De Graef | Contact | +3237602038 | marjan.degraef@vitaz.be |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Tinne Dilles, Doctor, Professor | Universiteit Antwerpen | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitaz | Sint-Niklaas | Oost-Vlaanderen | 9100 | Belgium |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32133133 | Background | Rathbone AP, Jamie K, Blackburn J, Gray W, Baqir W, Henderson E, Campbell D. Exploring an extended role for pharmacy assistants on inpatient wards in UK hospitals: using mixed methods to develop the role of medicines assistants. Eur J Hosp Pharm. 2020 Mar;27(2):78-83. doi: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2018-001518. Epub 2018 Sep 3. | |
| 37218964 |
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This study focuses on analyzing 50 medication dispensation processes on hospital wards, evenly distributed across two distinct periods: a control period without the involvement of Pharmaceutical Technical Assistants (PTAs) (medication dispensation by the night nurses) and an intervention period where PTAs actively participate in medication dispensation. Nurses and PTAs observed during the dispensation processes will be included in the study based on the selected medication dispensation moments during which they are on duty.
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| Delayed and omitted medication doses | Intervention Period: Reviewing the electronic medication system for the day the PTA prepared the medication. This includes recording the number of delayed or missed doses, the name and type of medication involved, and the reasons for the delay or non-administration. Control Period: Reviewing the electronic medication system for the day the night nurse dispensed the medication. This includes recording the number of delayed or missed doses, the name and type of medication involved, and the reasons for the delay or non-administration. | Data collection was conducted over five days during the control period and five days during the intervention period on each of the included hospital wards. |
| Reported Medication Errors | Collecting the reported medication errors from the hospital's incident reporting system during both the intervention and control periods. | Data collection was conducted over five days during the control period and five days during the intervention period on each of the included hospital wards. |
| Interdepartmental Communication Between Pharmacy and Hospital Ward | The exchange of information and updates between the pharmacy and the hospital ward to ensure accurate medication preparation, timely delivery, and proper administration. During both the intervention and control periods, this communication includes coordinating medication orders, addressing discrepancies, managing urgent requests, and providing guidance or clarifications as required. | Data collection was conducted over five days during the control period and five days during the intervention period on each of the included hospital wards. |
| Kjeldsen LJ, Schlunsen M, Meijers A, Hansen S, Christensen C, Bender T, Ratajczyk B. Medication Dispensing by Pharmacy Technicians Improves Efficiency and Patient Safety at a Geriatric Ward at a Danish Hospital: A Pilot Study. Pharmacy (Basel). 2023 May 8;11(3):82. doi: 10.3390/pharmacy11030082. |