Improvement of pharmacy services at Melfort Union Hospital

Approval for capital equipment funding and appropriate staffing was granted in August, 1982 for conversion to a unit dose drug distribution system at Melfort Union Hospital. All necessary packaging equipment, kardexes, forms and supplies were ordered in September and had arrived by November 1982, the same time a second pharmacist was hired. Prepackaging began in December for the proposed unit dose starting date of January 6, 1983. Inservices were performed to nursing three times prior to the implementation of unit dose on our 30 bed medical floor on January 6, 1983. During implementation one pharmacist spent a great deal of time with the nurses to ensure proper use of the system. Numerous meetings were held to correct the minor flaws inherent in any new system. Normal resistance to change was experienced, taking about 3 weeks to subside. Clinical services such as patient counselling, a monthly drug information bulletin and a formulary have been developed. These changes were not difficult and have provided a superior pharmacy service at a reasonable cost.