Implementation of Pharmaceutical Technical Assistants on Hospital Wards and Their Impact on Patient Safety and Quality of Care: A Qualitative Study on Nurses’ Experiences and Perceptions

Abstract

Object. To explore nurses’ experiences and perceptions of implementing pharmaceutical technical assistants on hospital wards for medication dispensation. The study focuses on implementation, role development, and impact on safety and quality of care, identifying critical success factors and improvement opportunities. Methods. In a qualitative descriptive study, between December 2022 and March 2023, 16 semistructured interviews were carried out with a stratified purposive sample of nurses across internal, surgical, and geriatric wards. The inclusion criteria required a minimum of six months of work experience and experience working both day and night shifts. Inductive thematic analysis was performed in NVivo 1.6.1. Results. Semistructured interviews revealed three main themes: (1) patient safety and quality of care, (2) organization of care, and (3) role development and collaboration. The implementation of pharmaceutical technical assistants on nursing wards was perceived to reduce the risk of medication errors without compromising care quality, allowing nurses to spend more time on direct patient care. Clear communication procedures were vital for successful implementation, highlighting the need for collaboration and information exchange between pharmaceutical technical assistants and nurses. Continuity in assigning pharmaceutical technical assistants was highlighted as crucial to improve medication safety and quality of care. This is considered an important aspect to ensure a smooth and optimal cooperation between nurses and pharmaceutical technical assistants. Nurses expressed that working with pharmaceutical technical assistants challenged their supervisory role and teamwork dynamics. Conclusions. Nurses confirmed the added value of pharmaceutical technical assistants in medication management. Critical factors included dedicated assignments to hospital wards, clear roles, and mutual expectations in collaboration with ward nurses.