2SPD-012 Automation of narcotic drug process: an opportunity for improvement

<h3>Background and Importance</h3> An Automated Narcotic Drug Dispensing System (ANDS) has been implemented in the Pharmacy Service (PS) to facilitate daily distribution of Narcotic Drugs (ND) to Hospitalisation Units (HU). Each dispensing process imputed the consumption to the HU and generates an electronic record in the Official Narcotics Accounting Book (ONAB), thereby eliminating the need for manual transcription and registration in the PS. Incorporation of ND into Automated Dispensing Systems (ADS) in the HU has permitted programmed refills and have allowed the elimination of manual records in ONAB and handwritten Hospital Dispensing Orders (HDO) signed by physicians. <h3>Aim and Objectives</h3> Analyse how the implementation of an ANDS in the PS and its integration with the ADS in the HU impacts on the reduction of HDO. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> ONAB data were analysed from August 2023, when the ANDS was implemented in the PS, until September 2024. All dispensing processes were done through the ANDS: In HU with ADS, an automatic programmed refill is generated to the ADS. In HU without ADS, HDO are maintained on demand. Refill movements from PS-ANDS to HU-ADS were analysed, as well as the movements using HDO to HU without ADS. The number of lines of ND dispensed to the ADS was quantified to determine the number of HDO avoided, assuming that each dispensed line required an HDO before the implementation of the ADS. <h3>Results</h3> A total of 8,607 movements have been recorded in the ONAB during the period studied, of which 4,501 correspond to refill movements from PS-ANDS to HU-ADS. Therefore, 4,501 HDO signed by physicians have been avoided, representing 52.29% of the movements. Manual transcription to the ONAB has been reduced to 47.71%. The total number of automatic refills to the ADS have been 1,159, which, in addition to allowing a better planning of activities in the PS, improves the efficiency of healthcare professionals by reducing administrative tasks of physicians and HDO transport by orderlies. <h3>Conclusion and Relevance</h3> Implementation of ANDS improves efficiency in the use of ND, reducing HDO, as well as manual records in the ONAB. <h3>References and/or Acknowledgements</h3> <h3>Conflict of Interest</h3> No conflict of interest