European Statement:
- Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
What was done?:
An original Lean method for business process improvement was designed and tested in an acute general medicine department in order to improve the mediation management process.
Why was it done?:
How was it done?:
A Lean method for the hospital setting was elaborated based on a triangulation between literature data, semi-structured interviews and a case study. This method, relies on 5 operational activities (Understand the process, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Implement) and 6 support activities (Establish top management support, understand the environment, Organize a project team, Manage change, Monitor and continuously improve). A multidisciplinary project team (nurses, head nurses, pharmacists, physicians, pharmacy technicians, nurse’s aide) was then formed to experiment this method in the acute general medicine ward.
What has been achieved?:
This project allowed improving the efficiency and quality of the medication management process. Medication errors at admission and risk for medication errors during administration were reduced (46% vs 12%), non -value added activities during administration were eliminated (25 minutes/nurse/day saved), ward stock management was streamlined (double bin system) and medication delivery was secured. More than 80% of the stakeholders surveyed (45) considered that the changes made to the process improved their working conditions (no impact for the others) and all the participants to the project team were satisfied or very satisfied with the project. The team now meets once a month to continuously improve the process.
What next?:
Keywords:
- Drug administration›Administration
- Drug dispensing›Dispensing
- Patient safety›Error-avoiding strategies
Pdf:
