The Canadian journal of hospital pharmacy
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The selection errors made by pharmacy technicians in filling unit dose orders at University Hospital were recorded to determine the percentage error rate and to categorize the errors detected. Errors were categorized as "incorrect medication", "incorrect dosage", "incorrect dosage form", "omitted medication", or "'extra medication". The relationship of the number of errors with respect to individual wards and the time of medication order filling was also examined. ⋯ The overall percentage error rate was 1.7% which was consistent for the four time periods studied. However, a rate variability of 0.4 to 4.5% was detected between different wards. "Incorrect dosage" errors were the most frequently occurring errors, followed by "omitted medication", "incorrect medication", "extra medication", and "incorrect dosage form". Medication selection errors should be considered as potential administration errors which could be harmful to the patient.
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The aim of the proposed study is to establish a national workload measurement system for hospital pharmacy in Canada. No reliable method presently exists to determine staffing requirements for hospital pharmacy. In order to establish staffing guidelines, a method of scientifically assessing and measuring hospital pharmacy workloads is needed. ⋯ Also, information obtained will be of administrative assistance in the areas of: (a) development of standardized methods of recording hospital pharmacy management information; (b) generation of valid and reliable data to allow comparative studies of hospital pharmacy departments in terms of productivity and utilization of manpower; (c) determination of the proper staffing ratio between pharmacists and supportive personnel; and (d) development of short and long-term planning goals for the hospital pharmacy department. The Canadian Workload Recording Method was designed to reflect current practice by a system of continuous monitoring and review by the user. As new pharmaceutical services develop, additional workload studies can be conducted to establish new standards demonstrating the impact of future programs on manpower requirements.