The quality of dispensing process at Suntreso Government Hospital Pharmacy, Kumasi-Ghana

BACKGROUND: Dispensing is one of the important activities that take place in an everyday hospital setting. The risk involved with drug dispensing is one of the major challenges in achieving safety of medicines. An appropriate dispensing process is An appropriate dispensing process is An appropriate dispensing process is An appropriate dispensing process is An appropriate dispensing process is An appropriate dispensing process is An appropriate dispensing process is An appropriate dispensing process is An appropriate dispensing process is An appropriate dispensing process is An appropriate dispensing process is An appropriate dispensing process is important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors. important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors. important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors. important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors. important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors.important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors. important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors.important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors.important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors. important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors. important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors. important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors.important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors. important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors. important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors.important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors.important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors. important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors. important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors. important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors.important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors.important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors. important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors. important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors. important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors.important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors.important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors. important for the reduction and prevention of medication errors. The quality of the dispensing process affects patient compliance to medication also impacts on the effectiveness of drug therapy. OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of dispensing process at Suntreso Government Hospital Pharmacy. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Suntreso Government Hospital from the 7th of April to 12th of May. Assessment was made by direct observation of the dispensing process and through a face to face exit interview of patients. The dispensing staffs were also interviewed to assess their level of training and competence as pharmaceutical care providers. Three different structured questionnaires were designed .One assessassess ed the understanding and knowledge of the understanding and knowledge of the understanding and knowledge of the understanding and knowledge of the understanding and knowledge ofthe understanding and knowledge ofthe understanding and knowledge ofthe understanding and knowledge of the understanding and knowledge ofthe understanding and knowledge of the understanding and knowledge of the understanding and knowledge ofthe understanding and knowledge of the the patients about medicines patients about medicines patients about medicinespatients about medicines patients about medicinespatients about medicines patients about medicines patients about medicines dispensed; dispensed; the second assessed second assessed second assessed second assessed second assessed second assessed patients’ abil patients’ abil patients’ abil patients’ abil patients’ abil patients’ abil patients’ abil ity to recall ity to recall ity to recall ity to recall ity to recall ity to recall ity to recall ity to recall ity to recall ity to recall instructions and instructions and instructions and instructions and instructions andinstructions and the third the third the third , the , the level of training and competence level of training and competence level of training and competence level of training and competence level of training and competence level of training and competence oflevel of training and competence oflevel of training and competence oflevel of training and competence oflevel of training and competence level of training and competence oflevel of training and competence level of training and competence level of training and competence oflevel of training and competence oflevel of training and competence dispensing staff. dispensing staff. dispensing staff. dispensing staff. dispensing staff. dispensing staff. dispensing staff. Three hun Three hunThree hunThree hunThree hun dred patients were involved in this study dred patients were involved in this studydred patients were involved in this studydred patients were involved in this study dred patients were involved in this study dred patients were involved in this studydred patients were involved in this study dred patients were involved in this study dred patients were involved in this study dred patients were involved in this studydred patients were involved in this study dred patients were involved in this study dred patients were involved in this study dred patients were involved in this study dred patients were involved in this study dred patients were involved in this study dred patients were involved in this study dred patients were involved in this study dred patients were involved in this study. Twenty patients . Twenty patients. Twenty patients . Twenty patients . Twenty patients. Twenty patients. Twenty patients . Twenty patients . Twenty patients. Twenty patients were were were randomly randomly randomly randomly randomly sel selectedectedected every other day for six weeksevery other day for six weeksevery other day for six weeksevery other day for six weeksevery other day for six weeksevery other day for six weeksevery other day for six weeks every other day for six weeks every other day for six weeks every other day for six weeksevery other day for six weeksevery other day for six weeks every other day for six weeksevery other day for six weeks every other day for six weeksevery other day for six weeks every other day for six weeksevery other day for six weeks , giving , giving, giving , giving, giving a total of 300 patientsa total of 300 patientsa total of 300 patients a total of 300 patientsa total of 300 patients a total of 300 patients a total of 300 patients a total of 300 patients a total of 300 patients a total of 300 patientsa total of 300 patients . The standard . The standard . The standard. The standard . The standard used used for quality assessment was for quality assessment was for quality assessment was for quality assessment was for quality assessment was for quality assessment was for quality assessment was for quality assessment was for quality assessment was WHOWHO indicators for good dispensing practices. indicators for good dispensing practices.indicators for good dispensing practices.indicators for good dispensing practices. indicators for good dispensing practices. indicators for good dispensing practices. indicators for good dispensing practices. indicators for good dispensing practices. indicators for good dispensing practices.indicators for good dispensing practices. indicators for good dispensing practices.indicators for good dispensing practices.indicators for good dispensing practices. indicators for good dispensing practices.indicators for good dispensing practices.indicators for good dispensing practices. RESULTS RESULTS RESULTSRESULTS Out of the Out of the Out of the 300 patients who took part in the study, 300 patients who took part in the study, 300 patients who took part in the study, 300 patients who took part in the study,300 patients who took part in the study, 300 patients who took part in the study, 300 patients who took part in the study, 300 patients who took part in the study, 300 patients who took part in the study, 300 patients who took part in the study, 300 patients who took part in the study, 300 patients who took part in the study, 300 patients who took part in the study,300 patients who took part in the study, 28% 28% 28% (n=85) (n=85) werewerewere above 60 yeaabove 60 yea above 60 yea above 60 yeaabove 60 yea above 60 yeaabove 60 yeaabove 60 years , 19 .7 % (n=59) were (n=59) were (n=59) were(n=59) were (n=59) were(n=59) were aged 20 to 30 years, 17% (n=aged 20 to 30 years, 17% (n= aged 20 to 30 years, 17% (n=aged 20 to 30 years, 17% (n=aged 20 to 30 years, 17% (n= aged 20 to 30 years, 17% (n= aged 20 to 30 years, 17% (n= aged 20 to 30 years, 17% (n=aged 20 to 30 years, 17% (n=aged 20 to 30 years, 17% (n=aged 20 to 30 years, 17% (n= aged 20 to 30 years, 17% (n= aged 20 to 30 years, 17% (n=aged 20 to 30 years, 17% (n=aged 20 to 30 years, 17% (n= aged 20 to 30 years, 17% (n=.51) were 50 to 60 years 51) were 50 to 60 years 51) were 50 to 60 years 51) were 50 to 60 years51) were 50 to 60 years 51) were 50 to 60 years 51) were 50 to 60 years 51) were 50 to 60 years51) were 50 to 60 years51) were 50 to 60 years51) were 50 to 60 years51) were 50 to 60 years and and 8.7% 8.7% (n=26) (n=26) aged aged aged aged 15 to 20 years 15 to 20 years15 to 20 years 15 to 20 years 15 to 20 years15 to 20 years15 to 20 years15 to 20 years .Seventy five percentage of medicines dispensed were adequately labelled. Ninety six percent (n=288) (n=288) (n=288) were able to recall vividly how their were able to recall vividly how their were able to recall vividly how their were able to recall vividly how their were able to recall vividly how their were able to recall vividly how their were able to recall vividly how their were able to recall vividly how their were able to recall vividly how their were able to recall vividly how their were able to recall vividly how their were able to recall vividly how their were able to recall vividly how their were able to recall vividly how their were able to recall vividly how their were able to recall vividly how their were able to recall vividly how their were able to recall vividly how their vi medici medicines were supposed to be taken, 3 nes were supposed to be taken, 3 nes were supposed to be taken, 3 nes were supposed to be taken, 3 nes were supposed to be taken, 3nes were supposed to be taken, 3 nes were supposed to be taken, 3 nes were supposed to be taken, 3 nes were supposed to be taken, 3 nes were supposed to be taken, 3nes were supposed to be taken, 3 nes were supposed to be taken, 3 nes were supposed to be taken, 3.7% .7% (n=11) (n=11) (n=11) could recall partially, could recall partially, could recall partially, could recall partially, could recall partially, could recall partially, could recall partially, could recall partially, could recall partially, could recall partially, could recall partially, could recall partially, only 1 only 1 only 1 only 1 only 1 patient patient patient patient could not recall at all.could not recall at all. could not recall at all. could not recall at all. could not recall at all.could not recall at all.could not recall at all. could not recall at all.could not recall at all.could not recall at all. could not recall at all.could not recall at all. could not recall at all. 96% knew the correct dosage for their medication 96% knew the correct dosage for their medication96% knew the correct dosage for their medication 96% knew the correct dosage for their medication 96% knew the correct dosage for their medication 96% knew the correct dosage for their medication96% knew the correct dosage for their medication 96% knew the correct dosage for their medication96% knew the correct dosage for their medication96% knew the correct dosage for their medication 96% knew the correct dosage for their medication 96% knew the correct dosage for their medication96% knew the correct dosage for their medication96% knew the correct dosage for their medication96% knew the correct dosage for their medication 96% knew the correct dosage for their medication 96% knew the correct dosage for their medication 96% knew the correct dosage for their medication96% knew the correct dosage for their medication 96% knew the correct dosage for their medication96% knew the correct dosage for their medication 96% knew the correct dosage for their medication . The The averageaverage average average dispensing time dispensing time dispensing time dispensing time dispensing time was 61 was 61 was 61 seconds andconds and conds andconds and the percent the percent the percent the percentthe percent age drug availability ge drug availability ge drug availability ge drug availability ge drug availability ge drug availability ge drug availability ge drug availability ge drug availability ge drug availability ge drug availability ge drug availability ge drug availability ge drug availability was as as 87.9%. 87.9%.The pharmacy had The pharmacy had The pharmacy had The pharmacy had The pharmacy had The pharmacy had The pharmacy had The pharmacy had The pharmacy had The pharmacy had staff strength of 16. taff strength of 16. taff strength of 16. taff strength of 16. taff strength of 16. taff strength of 16. taff strength of 16. taff strength of 16. Four were pharmacists, 6Four were pharmacists, 6 Four were pharmacists, 6 Four were pharmacists, 6 Four were pharmacists, 6Four were pharmacists, 6 Four were pharmacists, 6Four were pharmacists, 6 Four were pharmacists, 6Four were pharmacists, 6 Four were pharmacists, 6 Four were pharmacists, 6 were ere ere phar pharmacy technologists, 2 macy technologists, 2macy technologists, 2macy technologists, 2 macy technologists, 2macy technologists, 2 macy technologists, 2macy technologists, 2 macy technologists, 2 macy technologists, 2 were med were med were medwere med icine counter assistants and 4 icine counter assistants and 4icine counter assistants and 4icine counter assistants and 4icine counter assistants and 4 icine counter assistants and 4icine counter assistants and 4icine counter assistants and 4 icine counter assistants and 4 icine counter assistants and 4icine counter assistants and 4 icine counter assistants and 4 were were were trained on the trained on the trained on the trained on the trained on the trained on the job. Only 3 of the staff Only 3 of the staff Only 3 of the staff Only 3 of the staff Only 3 of the staff Only 3 of the staff Only 3 of the staff Only 3 of the staff could recould re could re call thcall thcall th call thcall th e topics treated topics treatedtopics treated topics treated topics treatedtopics treated during the last in during the last induring the last in during the last in during the last in during the last in -service service service service training training training . The qualification of the person who does dispensing was significan The qualification of the person who does dispensing was significanThe qualification of the person who does dispensing was significan The qualification of the person who does dispensing was significan The qualification of the person who does dispensing was significan The qualification of the person who does dispensing was significanThe qualification of the person who does dispensing was significanThe qualification of the person who does dispensing was significan The qualification of the person who does dispensing was significan The qualification of the person who does dispensing was significan The qualification of the person who does dispensing was significan The qualification of the person who does dispensing was significan The qualification of the person who does dispensing was significan The qualification of the person who does dispensing was significan The qualification of the person who does dispensing was significan The qualification of the person who does dispensing was significanThe qualification of the person who does dispensing was significan The qualification of the person who does dispensing was significan The qualification of the person who does dispensing was significan The qualification of the person who does dispensing was significanThe qualification of the person who does dispensing was significanThe qualification of the person who does dispensing was significan The qualification of the person who does dispensing was significan The qualification of the person who does dispensing was significan The qualification of the person who does dispensing was significanThe qualification of the person who does dispensing was significan The qualification of the person who does dispensing was significanThe qualification of the person who does dispensing was significantly tly tly related related related to the patient knowledge of name medicine to the patient knowledge of name medicine to the patient knowledge of name medicine to the patient knowledge of name medicine to the patient knowledge of name medicine to the patient knowledge of name medicine to the patient knowledge of name medicine to the patient knowledge of name medicine to the patient knowledge of name medicine to the patient knowledge of name medicine to the patient knowledge of name medicine to the patient knowledge of name medicine to the patient knowledge of name medicine to the patient knowledge of name medicine to the patient knowledge of name medicine to the patient knowledge of name medicine to the patient knowledge of name medicine to the patient knowledge of name medicine and side effects of medicineseffects of medicineseffects of medicineseffects of medicineseffects of medicineseffects of medicines effects of medicineseffects of medicines effects of medicines effects of medicines , p= 0.049 and p= 0.049 and p= 0.049 and p=0.044 p=0.044 respectively. respectively. respectively. respectively. respectively. respectively. respectively. respectively. Conclusi Conclusi on The average dispensing time was short compared to WHO standards. Percentage drug availability was over 80%, but this was low compared to the WHO standard. The patients had a good knowledge of how to take their medication. Few of the Pharmacy staff remembered courses treated during the last in -service training programme at the hospital. This study has shown that if pharmacists are more involved in the dispensing process, patients are more likely to know the names of their drugs, side effects and how the medicines should be used be used for best outcomes.

Source: KNUST