Today's planning and implementation of unit dose in a 200-bed hospital

The implementation of a unit dose program throughout a hospital is possible without confronting many problems if thorough planning has been done before the program is started. The planning can be accomplished by the pharmacy department without the extensive use of such groups as committees of representatives from nursing and administration. The nursing and administration departments should be consulted on specific items only. With proper planning of the design of equipment and forms, man-hours can be saved. The use of a large unit dose drawer helps overcome the disadvantages often associated with a once-daily cart exchange system. A pneumatic tube system can eliminate the need for messengers. Time can be saved in the operation of the program if function-structure relationships are considered in the design of the fixtures. Forms can be designed that will last for many days, eliminating the need to re-enter the same information on a second or third sheet. Specific work assignments for each staff member on each shift will assure a timely work flow.