Hospitals across the country are seeking innovative solutions to tackle the issue of drug waste, particularly when it comes to controlled substances. This has become a critical concern for healthcare institutions as they strive to ensure patients receive accurate dosages, reduce financial losses, and minimize the risk of drug diversion. With these challenges in mind, pharmacy teams are focusing on identifying the root causes of waste and implementing strategies to improve efficiency and cut costs.
One hospital that took a proactive approach to address controlled substance waste is University Health Truman Medical Center (UHTMC). Recognizing a pattern of inconsistent waste practices in their facility, UHTMC conducted a thorough waste analysis to gain deeper insights into the problem. Emily Mueller, the Pharmacy Automation, Informatics, and Supply Chain Manager at UHTMC, led the initiative and discovered that optimizing product sizes offered a potential solution.
By delving into their order data, UHTMC discovered that a significant portion of their fentanyl orders were for a 50-microgram dose, while they were using 100-microgram vials. This mismatch resulted in substantial waste. To address this issue, UHTMC set up an interdisciplinary controlled substance diversion prevention committee and decided to switch to Simplist® ready-to-administer prefilled syringes for fentanyl in the appropriate dosage.
The results were remarkable. UHTMC witnessed a remarkable reduction in wasting events and a substantial decrease in the nursing and pharmacy time required to document controlled substance waste. The optimized workflow not only saved time for the nursing staff but also streamlined operations for the pharmacy team, resulting in fewer discrepancies and reduced administrative tasks related to tracking providers.
Mueller emphasized the importance of waste analysis for other hospitals, as it provides valuable insights into waste reduction opportunities. She recommended adopting products that align better with clinical practice, as they can enhance diversion prevention efforts and alleviate the burden on healthcare professionals.
While the endeavor to reduce controlled substance waste may seem daunting, Mueller reassured the healthcare community that the benefits far outweigh the challenges. The implementation of optimal-sized controlled substances not only mitigates diversion risks but also reduces the workload for nursing and pharmacy colleagues. It simplifies tracking and resolution processes, ultimately leading to more efficient waste management practices.
FAQ:
Q: What is the main concern for hospitals regarding drug waste?
A: Hospitals are looking for ways to reduce drug waste, especially for controlled substances, to ensure patient safety, minimize financial losses, and prevent drug diversion.
Q: How did University Health Truman Medical Center address the issue of waste?
A: University Health Truman Medical Center analyzed their waste practices and discovered that optimizing product sizes could significantly reduce waste.
Q: What benefits did University Health Truman Medical Center experience after optimizing waste management?
A: By optimizing waste management, University Health Truman Medical Center observed a reduction in wasting events, saved time for nursing staff, and decreased discrepancies for the pharmacy team.
Q: What is the recommendation for other hospitals seeking to improve waste management?
A: Other hospitals are encouraged to conduct their waste analysis and consider adopting products that align better with their clinical practices to enhance waste reduction efforts.
Q: What are the advantages of reducing controlled substance waste?
A: Reducing controlled substance waste not only decreases the risk of drug diversion but also lightens the workload for healthcare professionals, making waste management more efficient.