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Streamlining one-dose package-handling process improves operational efficiency when dispensing drugs: A retrospective
Takahiro Kato1,2, Miki Kato1, Kazuyo Nagashiba1
1Department of Pharmacy, Aichi Medical University Hospital, 1-1 Yazakokarimata, Nagakute city, Aichi 480-1195, Japan.
Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy
|July 23, 2025
Summary
Optimizing one-dose package (ODP) verification workflows significantly reduced hospital pharmacy dispensing times. This strategy improved efficiency without increasing pharmacist workload, demonstrating the impact of streamlined processes.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacy Practice
- Health Services Research
- Drug Dispensing Efficiency
Background:
- Japanese pharmacists seek to enhance efficiency and communication through process simplification and protocol development.
- While automated dispensing systems show promise, empirical data on their impact on pharmacy efficiency remains limited.
- This study investigates key factors influencing pharmacist efficiency in drug dispensing operations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors affecting pharmacist dispensing time in a hospital setting.
- To evaluate the impact of implementing workflow optimization strategies on dispensing efficiency.
- To determine if efficiency gains can be achieved without altering staffing levels.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of daily hospital pharmacy reports from two consecutive years (2020-2022).
- Primary outcome measure was the mean duration of drug dispensing.
- Multiple regression analyses were employed to identify significant factors influencing dispensing time, followed by intervention and outcome evaluation.
Main Results:
- The prescription/pharmacist ratio, number of one-dose package (ODP) prescriptions, and handling of powdered drugs were significant factors affecting dispensing time.
- Implementation of an optimized ODP verification workflow led to a significant decrease in mean dispensing time (20.0 ± 4.0 min to 18.5 ± 3.6 min).
- The proportion of tasks completed within 20 minutes increased from 56.3% to 73.6% post-intervention, indicating enhanced efficiency.
Conclusions:
- Streamlining the one-dose package (ODP) verification process is a key strategy for improving hospital pharmacy dispensing efficiency.
- Workflow optimization can reduce dispensing times and increase task completion rates without necessitating changes in staffing.
- Further multicenter research is recommended to validate these findings across different healthcare settings.
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