Innovations in Medication Preparation Safety and Wastage Reduction: Use of a Workflow Management System in a Pediatric Hospital

ABSTRACT Background: USP regulatory requirements have mandated that pharmacies improve aseptic techniques and cleanliness of the medication preparation areas. In addition, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) recommends that technology and automation be used as much as possible for preparing and verifying compounded sterile products. Objective: To determine the benefits associated with the implementation of the workflow management system, such as reducing medication preparation and delivery errors, reducing quantity and frequency of medication errors, avoiding costs, and enhancing the organization's decision to move toward positive patient identification (PPID). Methods: At Texas Children's Hospital, data were collected and analyzed from January 2014 through August 2014 in the pharmacy areas in which the workflow management system would be implemented. Data were excluded for September 2014 during the workflow management system oral liquid implementation phase. Data were collected and a...