Medication system: Analysis of actions taken by professionals in psychiatric units

Abstract

This study analyzed the medication systems in psychiatric units of a general hospital and a psychiatric hospital in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. It is a quantitative and cross-sectional, exploratory survey study with 144 professionals from the areas of medication, nursing and pharmacy. Data were collected by direct, non-participative observation and by medical records review. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Factors that affect patient safety, such as interruptions during prescription, handwritten changes to electronic prescriptions, limited handling of the electronic prescription system, unavailable clinical pharmacy, mistakes in activities related to the preparation and administration of medications and other factors were identified. The study reveals the susceptible points for the occurrence of medication errors in psychiatric hospitalization departments and discusses recommendations and technological resources that can promote security in the medication system.