The Development of Unit Dose Packaging System at Intensive Care Unit Mae Sai Hospital, Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

This study was aimed to outcomes of implementing a Unit Dose Packaging System. The study employs a prospective cross-sectional design, collecting data in advance from all patients admitted to the Intensive care unit at Mae Sai Hospital, from March 1, 2022 to February 28, 2023 using a custom-designed form. Data analysis is conducted using descriptive statistics.

The research findings indicate that a total of 394 patients received treatment with the Unit Dose Packaging System. The gender distribution was approximately equal, with 51.27% male and 48.73% female. Patients over 60 years old accounted for 40.86% and 30.46% had more than one comorbidity. The majority of patients were admitted for infectious diseases, comprising 36.80%, with an average length of stay of 5.97 days. Regarding the medication reconciliation, pharmacy adherence was 98.73% within 24 hours. Physicians adhered to guidelines in the admission, transfer, and discharge processes at 96.95%, 97.21%, and 95.43%, respectively. A total of 1,182 medication reconciliation events occurred, with a discrepancy rate of 28.09%. The majority of discrepancies were in the admission process at 41.37%. Medication errors totaled 38 incidents, mainly during the drug dispensing step (21 incidents). These errors were resolved for 15 problems, The level of severity is low and does not harm the patient (60.53%). Labels and medication pockets cost 7,778.90 Baht. Medication returns amounted to 1,619 items, with a total value of 77,333.34 Baht. The primary reason for returns was the unable to determine cause (32.86%). Feedback from pharmacy and Intensive care unit personnel revealed that 77.14% believed the system increased workload rounds for pharmacy department, while 71.43% of nursing staff felt it reduced their workload. The system also reduced expired and deteriorated medications by 68.57%.