2SPD-014 Reduction of carbon footprint by implementing automated medicine dispensing systems in hospitalisation units

<h3>Background and Importance</h3> The Pharmacy Service (PS) has modified the method of distributing medications for hospitalised patients. Previously, distribution was based on a unit dose dispensing system in medication trolleys and distributed to Hospitalisation Units (HU) once a day. Consequently, New Treatments (NT) not included had to be prepared in individualised plastic bags for each patient and then distributed from PS to HU. Implementation of Automated Medicine Dispensing System (AMDS) in HU facilitates access to NT, reducing the distribution of medication in plastic bags from the PS. Furthermore, the inclusion of previously stock-requested medication in the AMDS has eliminated the need for bag preparation. <h3>Aim and Objectives</h3> Compare the impact of carbon footprint in a PS before and after the implementation of AMDS in HU. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> A 3month post-AMDS implementation period was studied, comparing it to the corresponding 3 months of the previous year in six HU. Reduction in the number of NT prepared by the PS was analysed, assuming all of a patient‘s daily NT were grouped into one bag, and one bag was used per request for the preparation of stock medications. Impact on the carbon footprint is calculated by measuring the reduction in greenhouse gases (kgCO2). Average weight of a bag was calculated to convert it into kg CO2. <h3>Results</h3> Prior to AMDS implementation, 15,434 NT were distributed using 5,939 bags. After implementation, 3,499 NT were distributed using 2,749 bags, representing a reduction of 11,935 NT and 3,190 bags (reduction into kg CO2=0.43). UH1:0.16 vs 0.09 kg CO2 (48.49% reduction). UH2:0.16 vs 0.08 kg CO2 (51.59%). UH3:0.13 vs 0.07 kg CO2 (49.61%). UH4:0.12 vs 0.02 kg CO2 (85.59%). UH5:0.10 vs 0.07 kg CO2 (29.47%). UH6:0.14 vs 0.07 kg CO2 (55.80%). The median reduction in kg CO2 is 50.6%. Before AMDS implementation, 918 stock medication were distributed in 918 bags. After implementation, 241 stock medication were prepared in 241 bags, resulting in a reduction of 677 bags (0.21 kg CO2). In total, 3,867 bags have been reduced, equivalent to 0.63 kg CO2. Therefore, the expected annual reduction is 2.54 kg CO2 avoided in waste management. Considering the impact of bag manufacturing, the total reduction expected is between 240.96 kg CO2 and 421.88 kg CO2. <h3>Conclusion and Relevance</h3> Implementation of AMDS reduces the consumption of plastic bags for medication dispensing in all HU analysed, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of the PS. <h3>References and/or Acknowledgements</h3> ‘Greenhouse gas reporting:Conversion factors 2022-Departments for Farming and Rural Affairs(DEFRA).2023’ <h3>Conflict of Interest</h3> No conflict of interest