Assessing the Role of Pharmaceutical Technical Assistents in Hospital Wards: Measuring Efficiency and Medication Safety
NCT ID: NCT06731387
Last Updated: 2024-12-12
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
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NOT_YET_RECRUITING
NA
50 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2024-12-31
2025-07-31
Brief Summary
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* What is the effect of PTAs on the time spent by (night) nurses on medication dispensation?
* How does their involvement influence unplanned interactions between nursing staff and the pharmacy?
* What is the impact of PTAs on the safety of medication processes, including missed or delayed doses, accuracy of dispensed medication, and reported medication errors?
Researchers will compare periods with and without the involvement of PTAs in the medication management process on the hospital ward to assess differences in:
* Time spent on medication dispensation.
* Frequency of unplanned interactions between hospital wards and the pharmacy.
* Rates of missed or delayed medication doses.
* Accuracy of dispensed medication compared to prescriptions.
* Reported medication errors.
During the observed medication dispensation processes, involved nurses and PTAs will:
* Be observed while preparing medications to measure time and interruptions.
* Provide data on medication errors and delays through digital systems and reports.
* Complete a demographic questionnaire about their professional background. This study involves both intervention and control periods, allowing researchers to measure the specific effects of PTAs' involvement in medication processes.
Detailed Description
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Conditions
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Keywords
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Study Design
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NA
SINGLE_GROUP
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
NONE
Study Groups
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PTAs dispensing medications
Pharmaceutical technical assistants supported medication dispensation on the hospital ward
Pharmaceutical technical assistants (PTAs) visit the hospital ward for two hours in the morning or afternoon to dispense medications for admitted patients for the following day. Night nurses then complete any final additions or adjustments as needed.
Interventions
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Pharmaceutical technical assistants supported medication dispensation on the hospital ward
Pharmaceutical technical assistants (PTAs) visit the hospital ward for two hours in the morning or afternoon to dispense medications for admitted patients for the following day. Night nurses then complete any final additions or adjustments as needed.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Medication dispensation moments must be performed by nurses during the nightshift. .
* Nurses included must have at least six months of experience working night shifts.
Intervention Period:
* Medication dispensation moments must be performed by PTAs.
* PTAs included must have at least six months of experience specifically in medication dispensation tasks.
18 Years
ALL
Yes
Sponsors
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Universiteit Antwerpen
OTHER
University of Applied Sciences Utrecht
OTHER
Vitaz
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Principal Investigators
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Tinne Dilles, Doctor, Professor
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Universiteit Antwerpen
Locations
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Vitaz
Sint-Niklaas, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Countries
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Central Contacts
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Facility Contacts
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Brecht Serraes, Doctor
Role: primary
References
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Rathbone AP, Jamie K, Blackburn J, Gray W, Baqir W, Henderson E, Campbell D. Exploring an extended role for pharmacy assistants on inpatient wards in UK hospitals: using mixed methods to develop the role of medicines assistants. Eur J Hosp Pharm. 2020 Mar;27(2):78-83. doi: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2018-001518. Epub 2018 Sep 3.
Kjeldsen LJ, Schlunsen M, Meijers A, Hansen S, Christensen C, Bender T, Ratajczyk B. Medication Dispensing by Pharmacy Technicians Improves Efficiency and Patient Safety at a Geriatric Ward at a Danish Hospital: A Pilot Study. Pharmacy (Basel). 2023 May 8;11(3):82. doi: 10.3390/pharmacy11030082.
Other Identifiers
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EC24018
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id