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The rapid uptake of mobile phones in low and middle-income countries over the past decade has provided public health programs unprecedented access to patients. While programs have used text messages to improve medication adherence, there have been no high-powered trials evaluating their impact on tuberculosis treatment outcomes. To measure the impact of Zindagi SMS, a two-way SMS reminder system, on treatment success of people with drug-sensitive tuberculosis. We conducted a two-arm, parallel design, effectiveness randomized controlled trial in Karachi, Pakistan. Individual participants were randomized to either Zindagi SMS or the control group. Zindagi SMS sent daily SMS reminders to participants and asked them to respond through SMS or missed (unbilled) calls after taking their medication. Non-respondents were sent up to three reminders a day. Public and private sector tuberculosis clinics in Karachi, Pakistan. Newly-diagnosed patients with smear or bacteriologically positive pulmonary tuberculosis who were on treatment for less than two weeks; 15 years of age or older; reported having access to a mobile phone; and intended to live in Karachi throughout treatment were eligible to participate. We enrolled 2,207 participants, with 1,110 randomized to Zindagi SMS and 1,097 to the control group. The primary outcome was clinically recorded treatment success based upon intention-to-treat. We found no significant difference between the Zindagi SMS or control groups for treatment success (719 or 83% vs. 903 or 83%, respectively, p = 0·782). There was no significant program effect on self-reported medication adherence reported during unannounced visits during treatment. In this large-scale randomized controlled effectiveness trial of SMS medication reminders for tuberculosis treatment, we found no significant impact. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01690754.

IntroductionIn the USA over 30% of medication errors occur at the point of administration. Among non-surgical patients in US hospitals exposed to opioids, 0.6% experience a severe opioid-related adverse event. In September 2018, Sierra View Medical Center identified two areas of opportunity for quality improvement: bedside bar code medication administration (BCMA) and pain reassessments. At baseline (April 2018 to September 2018) only 81% of medications were scanned prior to administration with pain reassessments completed only 41% of the time 1 hour postopioid administration.ObjectiveTo improve BCMA scanning rates (goal ≥95%) and pain reassessments within 1 hour postopioid administration (goal ≥90%).MethodsImplementation methods included data transparency, weekly dashboards, education and plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles informed by feedback from key stakeholders.ResultsFollowing a series of PDSA cycle implementations, barcode medication administration (BCMA) scanning rates improved by 14% (from 81% to 95%) and pain reassessments improved by 50% (from 41% to 91%), sustained 17 months postproject implementation (October 2018 to February 2019). The number of adverse drug events (ADEs) related to administration errors decreased by 17% (estimated annual cost savings of $120 750–239 725 per year) and opioid-related ADEs decreased by 2.6% (estimated annual cost savings of $72 855–80 928 per year).ConclusionAdopting John Kotter’s model for change, developing performance dashboards and sustaining engagement among stakeholders on a weekly basis improved bar code medication scanning rates and pain reassessment compliance. The stakeholders created momentum for change in both practice and culture resulting in improved patient safety with a favourable financial impact.

Most residents in elderly care homes in Sri Lanka do not receive formal, on-site, patient care services. To evaluate the appropriateness of prescribing, dispensing, administration, and storage practices of medication used by residents in selected elderly care homes in Colombo District, Sri Lanka. This was a prospective, cross-sectional, multi-center study of 100 residents with chronic, non-communicable diseases, who resided in nine selected elderly care homes in Sri Lanka. Medication histories were obtained from each resident/caregiver and the appropriateness of medications in their current prescription was reviewed using standard treatment guidelines. Prescriptions were cross-checked against respective dispensing labels to identify dispensing errors. Medication administration was directly observed on two separate occasions per resident for accuracy of administration, and matched against the relevant prescription instructions. Medication storage was also observed in terms of exposure to temperature and sunlight, the suitability of container, and adequacy of separation if using multiple medications. The mean age of residents was 70±10.5 years and the majority were women (72%). A total of 168 errors out of 446 prescriptions were identified. The mean number of prescribing errors per resident was 1.68±1.23 [median, 2.00 (1.00-3.00)]. Inappropriate dosing frequencies were the highest (37.5%;63/168), followed by missing or inappropriate medications (31.5%;53/168). The mean number of dispensing errors per resident was 15.9±13.1 [median, 14.0 (6.00-22.75)] with 3.6 dispensing errors per every medication dispensed. Mean administration errors per resident was 0.95±1.5 [median, 0.00 (0.00-1.00)], with medication omissions being the predominant error (50.5%;48/95). Another lapse was incorrect storage of medications (143 storage errors), and included 83 medications not properly separated from each other (58.0%). Multiple errors related to prescribing, dispensing, administration, and storage were identified amongst those using medication in elderly care homes. Services of a dedicated consultant pharmacist could improve the quality of medication use in elderly care homes in Sri Lanka.

Background This study was designed to determine risk factors and potential harm associated with medication errors at hospital admission. Methods Study pharmacist and hospital-physician medication histories were compared with medication orders to identify unexplained history and order discrepancies in 651 adult medicine service inpatients with 5,701 prescription medications. Discrepancies resulting in order changes were considered errors. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association of patient demographic and clinical characteristics including patients’ number of pre-admission prescription medications, pharmacies, prescribing physicians and medication changes; and presentation of medication bottles or lists. These factors were tested after controlling for patient demographics, admitting service and severity of illness. Results Over one-third of study patients (35.9%) experienced 309 order errors; 85% of patients had errors originate in medication histories, and almost half were omissions. Cardiovascular agents were commonly in error (29.1%). If undetected, 52.4% of order errors were rated as potentially requiring increased monitoring or intervention to preclude harm; 11.7% were rated as potentially harmful. In logistic regression analysis, patient’s age ≥65 [odds ratio (OR), 2.17; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.09–4.30] and number of prescription medications (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.14–1.29) were significantly associated with errors potentially requiring monitoring or causing harm. Presenting a medication list (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.19–0.63) or bottles (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.27–1.10) at admission was beneficial. Conclusion Over one-third of the patients in our study had a medication error at admission, and of these patients, 85% had errors originate in their medication histories. Attempts to improve the accuracy of medication histories should focus on older patients with a large number of medications. Primary care physicians and other clinicians should help patients utilize and maintain complete, accurate and understandable medication lists.

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the sources and causes of interruptions during the medication administration process performed by a nursing team and measure its frequency, duration and impact on the team’s workload. Métodos: This is an observational study that timed 121 medication rounds (preparation, administration and documentation) performed by 15 nurses and nine nursing technicians in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the countryside of the state of São Paulo. Resultados: 63 (52.1%) interruptions were observed. In each round, the number of interruptions that happened ranged from 1-7, for 127 in total; these occurred mainly during the preparation phase, 97 (76.4%). The main interruption sources were: nursing staff – 48 (37.8%) − and self-interruptions – 29 (22.8%). The main causes were: information exchanges – 54 (42.5%) − and parallel conversations – 28 (22%). The increase in the mean time ranged from 53.7 to 64.3% (preparation) and from 18.3 to 19.2% (administration) – p≤0.05. Conclusão: Interruptions in the medication process are frequent, interfere in the workload of the nursing team and may reflect on the safety of care. RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar fontes e causas das interrupções durante o processo de administração de medicamentos realizado pela equipe de enfermagem e mensurar sua frequência, duração e impacto sobre a carga de trabalho. Métodos: Observacional com tempos cronometrados durante 121 rodadas de medicação (preparo, administração e documentação) realizadas por 15 enfermeiros e nove técnicos de enfermagem em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal no interior de São Paulo. Resultados: Foram observadas 63 (52,1%) interrupções. Em cada rodada, ocorreram de 1-7totalizando 127, principalmente na fase de preparo, 97 (76,4%). As principais fontes constituíram-se em: equipe de enfermagem − 48 (37,8%) − e autointerrupções − 29(22,8%). Já as principais causas: troca de informações – 54 (42,5%) − e conversa paralela – 28 (22%). O aumento do tempo médio variou de 53,7 a 64,3% (preparo) e de 18,3 a 19,2% (administração) p≤0,05. Conclusão: Interrupções no processo medicamentoso são frequentes, interferem na carga de trabalho da enfermagem e podem refletir na segurança do cuidado. RESUMEN Objetivo: Examinar las fuentes y las causas de interrupciones durante el proceso de administración de medicamentos realizado por el personal de enfermería y también medir su frecuencia, duración e impacto sobre la carga de trabajo de estos. Métodos: Estudio observacional con tiempos cronometrados durante 121 rondas de medicación (preparación, administración y documentación) realizadas por 15 enfermeros y 9 técnicos de enfermería en una Unidad de Cuidado Intensivo Neonatal en el interior de São Paulo. Resultados: Se observaron 63 (52,1%) interrupciones. En cada ronda, ocurrieron de 1-7, totalizando 127, principalmente en la fase de preparación, 97 (76,4%). Las principales fuentes fueron: el personal de enfermería –48 (37,8%)–, y las autointerrupciones –29 (22,8%)–. Ya las principales causas fueron: el intercambio de información –54 (42,5%)– y la conversación paralela –28 (22%)–. El incremento del promedio del tiempo varió del 53,7% al 64,3% (preparación) y del 18,3% al 19,2% (administración) p≤0,05. Conclusión: Las interrupciones en el proceso medicamentoso son frecuentes, interfieren en la carga de trabajo de la enfermería y pueden comprometer la seguridad del cuidado.

PurposeWe investigated the drug use before and after transition to automated multi-dose dispensing (MDD) service among persons with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and compared whether the changes were similar in persons without AD.MethodsThe register-based Finnish nationwide MEDALZ cohort includes 70,718 community-dwelling persons diagnosed with AD during 2005–2011. Each person who initiated MDD was matched in both groups with a comparison person without MDD by age, gender and for persons with AD, also time since AD diagnosis at the start of MDD. The study cohort included 15,604 persons with AD in MDD and 15,604 no-MDD, and 5224 persons without AD in MDD and 5224 no-MDD. Point prevalence of drug use was assessed every 3 months, from 1 year before to 2 years after the start of MDD and compared between persons in MDD to those who did not have MDD.ResultsMDD was started on average 2.9 (SD 2.1) years after AD diagnosis. At the start of MDD, the prevalence of drug use increased especially for antipsychotics, antidepressants, opioids, paracetamol and use of ≥ 10 drugs among persons with and without AD. Prevalence of benzodiazepine use (from 12% 12 months before to 17% at start of MDD), memantine (from 29 to 46%) and ≥ 3 psychotropics (from 3.2 to 6.0%) increased among persons with AD. Decreasing trend was observed for benzodiazepine-related drugs, urinary antispasmodics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.ConclusionMDD seems to be initiated when use of psychotropics is initiated and the number of drugs increases.

Background The National Essential Medicine System (NEMS) is a new policy in China launched in 2009 to improve the appropriate use of medications. This study aims to examine the outcomes of the NEMS objectives in terms of the rational use of medicines in primary health care facilities in China. Methods A total of 28,651 prescriptions were collected from 146 township health centers in four provinces of China by means of a field survey conducted in 2010-2011. Indicators of rational drug use were extracted and compared using a pre/post design and then evaluated with regard to the World Health Organization (WHO) Standard Guidelines and data from previous research. Results The average number of drugs per prescription decreased from 3.64 to 3.46 (p <<0.01) between 2009 and 2010. Little effect was found for the NEMS on the average number of antibiotics per prescription, but the percentage of prescriptions including antibiotics decreased from 60.26 to 58.48% (p <<0.01). Prescriptions for injections or adrenal corticosteroids also decreased, to 40.31 and 11.16% of all prescriptions, respectively. All these positive issues were also recorded in 2011. However, each of the above values remained higher than WHO standards. The percentage of drugs prescribed from the Essential Drug List increased after the implementation of the NEMS (p <0.01). Where the available data allowed changes in costs to be assessed, the average expense per prescription increased significantly, from 25.77 to 27.09 yuan (p <0.01). Conclusions The NEMS effectively improved rational medicine use in China. However, polypharmacy and the over-prescription of antibiotics and injections remain common. There is still a large unfinished agenda requiring policy improvements. Treatment guidelines, intensive support supervision, and continuing training for both professionals and consumers are the essential actions that need to be taken.

Implementation of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) in urban settings is an obstacle to Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) elimination. No urban-specific guidelines on MDA in urban areas exist. Malindi district urban area had received 4 MDA rounds by the time the current study was implemented. Programme data showed average treatment coverage of 28.4% (2011 MDA), far below recommended minimum of 65-80%. To identify, design and test strategies for increased treatment coverage in urban areas, a quasi-experimental study was conducted in Malindi urban area. Three sub-locations with lowest treatment coverage in 2011 MDA were purposively selected. In the pre-test phase, 947 household heads sampled using systematic random method were interviewed for quantitative data. For qualitative data, 12 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with single sex adult and youth male and female groups and 3 with community drug distributors (CDDs) were conducted. Forty in-depth interviews with opinion leaders and self-administered questionnaires with District Public Health officers purposively selected were carried out. The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 and statistical significance assessed by χ(2) test.The qualitative data were analyzed manually according to study's themes. The identified strategies were implemented prior to and during 2012 MDA in two sub-locations (experimental) while in the third (control), usual MDA strategies were applied. In the post-test phase, 2012 MDA coverage in experimental and control sub-locations was comparatively assessed for effect of the newly designed strategies on urban MDA. Results indicated improved treatment coverage in experimental sub-locations, 77.1% in Shella and 66.0% in Barani. Central (control) sub-location also attained high coverage, 70.4% indicating average treatment coverage of 71%. The identified strategies contributed to increased treatment coverage in experimental sites and should be applied in urban areas. Due to closeness of sites, spillover effects may have contributed to increased coverage in the control site.

Multinational health IT benchmarks foster cross-country learning and have been employed at various levels, e.g. OECD and Nordic countries. A bi-national benchmark study conducted in 2007 revealed a significantly higher adoption of health IT in Austria compared to Germany, two countries with comparable healthcare systems. We now investigated whether these differences still persisted. We further studied whether these differences were associated with hospital intrinsic factors, i.e. the innovative power of the organisation and hospital demographics. We thus performed a survey to measure the “perceived IT availability” and the “innovative power of the hospital” of 464 German and 70 Austrian hospitals. The survey was based on a questionnaire with 52 items and was given to the directors of nursing in 2013/2014. Our findings confirmed a significantly greater IT availability in Austria than in Germany. This was visible in the aggregated IT adoption composite score “IT function” as well as in the IT adoption for the individual functions “nursing documentation” (OR = 5.98), “intensive care unit (ICU) documentation” (OR = 2.49), “medication administration documentation” (OR = 2.48), “electronic archive” (OR = 2.27) and “medication” (OR = 2.16). “Innovative power” was the strongest factor to explain the variance of the composite score “IT function”. It was effective in hospitals of both countries but significantly more effective in Austria than in Germany. “Hospital size” and “hospital system affiliation” were also significantly associated with the composite score “IT function”, but they did not differ between the countries. These findings can be partly associated with the national characteristics. Indicators point to a more favourable financial situation in Austrian hospitals; we thus argue that Austrian hospitals may possess a larger degree of financial freedom to be innovative and to act accordingly. This study is the first to empirically demonstrate the effect of “innovative power” in hospitals on health IT adoption in a bi-national health IT benchmark. We recommend directly including the financial situation into future regression models. On a political level, measures to stimulate the “innovative power” of hospitals should be considered to increase the digitalisation of healthcare.

Background: Medication errors may result in patients’ harm and even death. The improvement of nursing students’ competence in the administration of medication through education and training can contribute to the reduction of medication errors. Objectives: This study aimed at describing the Bachelor of Nursing students’ perceptions about clinical learning opportunities and competence in the administration of oral medication. Method: A quantitative descriptive design was employed. An all-inclusive sample of 176 nursing students registered at a university in the Western Cape, South Africa, in 2014 was considered for the study, of whom 125 students consented to participate and completed the questionnaires. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 was used for data analysis and descriptive statistics were conducted. Results: The findings showed that a minority of students did not have opportunities to rotate in all specific types of wards. The findings indicated that a total of 92% (115) and 86.4% (108) of the 125 respondents were placed in medical and surgical wards, respectively, where they more likely had opportunities to practise the administration of oral medication. However, 59.2% (74) did not practise administration of oral medication on a daily basis. Only 19.2% (24) of respondents perceived themselves as competent in the administration of oral medication. Conclusion: The findings indicated that many students perceived their education and training as not providing sufficient learning opportunities to practise the administration of oral medication, whilst the majority of respondents perceived themselves as competent in some of the aspects related to the administration of oral medication, and very few perceived themselves as competent overall in the administration of oral medication.