LEAN methodology: design and assessment of a standardized medication storage model

The objective of this study was to assess the results of applying  Lean Methodology in the design of a standardized medication storage model in  hospitalization departments.

Descriptive and retrospective study conducted between September 2017 and January 2019 in a tertiary level hospital. The Pharmacy Service led the creation of a multidisciplinary team. Lean Methodology was used to establish the components and organization and  identification criteria that made up the standardized medication storage model.  The stocks of each hospitalization department were reviewed and quantified, the final amount of stock needed was agreed with the supervisor of each department, and the economic impact of the implementation of the  standardized medication model was assessed. A questionnaire was designed and sent to nursing staff to determine their level of satisfaction with the new model.

The standardized medication storage model was scaled up to 20  nursing departments, leading to an overall reduction of 56.72% in the number of pharmaceutical dosage forms available (5,688 vs 2,462). The number of high-risk drugs was reduced by 40.73% (631 vs 374). This elimination of wastage  achieved a saving of €25,357.98. A total of 58 nurses returned the  questionnaires (20.70% of the total): 22.40% worked a fixed shift and 77.60%  worked a rotating shift. The mean score on overall satisfaction was 5.79 ± 3.61  (scores ranged from 1 to 10).

The application of Lean Methodology is very useful for the  management of medication stocks in hospitalization departments. The implementation of a standardized medication storage model leads to  economic savings and a marked reduction in the number of active ingredients and high-risk medications. The nursing staff were satisfied with the  implementation of the model, suggesting that we should continue to pursue this effective line of action.