REDUCTIONS IN MEDICATION WASTAGE AND COSTS IN A PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT BY CHANGING THE ORDER ENTRY SYSTEM

Abstract

Objective: The intensive care unit (ICU) drug therapies have a significant impact on hospital costs, and reducing these costs has become a critical concern for hospitals. In this study, the researchers tested the theory on whether changing the ordering system of medications in the pediatric ICU (PICU)1, reduces drug wastage so that the nurse can request a fraction of one vial or ampule. More precisely, the study aimed to reduce the medication cost and wastage in our pediatric center. Methods: This study was conducted in the 16-bed PICU of Imam Hossein Hospital, which is a referral tertiary care teaching pediatric hospital with 185 beds in ten wards. A fractional ordering alternative was added to the hospital information system of the PICU of the pediatric hospital. Nurses were taught by the hospital pharmacist to understand the new way of ordering the drugs. Several highly used drugs were chosen for the intervention. The data were analyzed by an independent sample t-test using SPSS software. Results: Based on the results, changing the method of requesting medications for PICU patients and the random checking of floor stocks and the expired drugs in PICU reduced the number and cost of all medications. Conclusion: Overall, the collaboration of nurses and pharmacists can lead to cost savings in hospitals.