Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy最新文献

{"title":"Improving organizational preparedness for community pharmacy-based naloxone and opioid counseling services in both urban and rural environments","authors":"Ammar Abdulrahman Jairoun , Moyad Shahwan , Abeer M. Al-Ghananeem","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100604","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100604","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100604"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143874830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of diabetes mellitus medication-taking behavior among first- and second-generation Australians of Chinese heritage: A nationwide cross-sectional study","authors":"Olumuyiwa Omonaiye ,&nbsp;Alemayehu Mekonnen ,&nbsp;Christopher Gilfillan ,&nbsp;Rosemary Wong ,&nbsp;Bodil Rasmussen ,&nbsp;Elizabeth Holmes-Truscott ,&nbsp;Kevin Mc Namara ,&nbsp;Elizabeth Manias ,&nbsp;Jerry Lai ,&nbsp;Julie Considine","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100600","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100600","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To investigate the association of health literacy, illness perceptions, and beliefs about medications on medication-taking behavior among first- and second-generation Australians of Chinese heritage living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>A nationwide cross-sectional online survey of (<em>N</em> = 455) of whom 196 responded, was conducted among adults (≥18 years) with T2DM of Chinese heritage residing in Australia. Participants were recruited via direct invitation (national registry and specialist clinic). Data collection utilized four validated questionnaires: The Brief Medication Questionnaire, Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire Specific (BMQ-Specific), Brief Illness Perception 9 Questionnaire (BIPQ), and a 12-item short-form health literacy (HL) questionnaire (HLS-SF12). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to explore the factors associated with medication-taking.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Overall, 27 % of participants reported missing diabetes medication(s) in the past week, with access barriers most cited (38 %), followed by belief (27 %) and recall (24 %) barriers. Median scores for health literacy, illness perception and beliefs about medications showed problems with health literacy (General Health Literacy Index, median [IQR] =31.94 [26.39ꟷ38.89], a moderate threat to illness perception (BIPQ:= 38.56 ± 10.52) and higher perceived necessity of taking diabetes medications relative to concern (BMQ-Specific Necessity: = 3.80 [3.20<img>4.20]; BMQ-Specific Concern: = 3.00 [2.50<img>3.67]). Better medication-taking was seen in people with high necessity beliefs and with low concerns in the use of medications. Health literacy and illness perceptions were not significantly associated with medication-taking behavior.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Medication beliefs play a role in sub-optimal medication-taking behavior among Chinese adults with T2DM. Increased attention needs to be placed on examining and enhancing understanding of diabetes medications while addressing concerns among individuals of Chinese backgrounds to better understand the complexities of medication-taking behavior. Culturally relevant clinical discussion and structured diabetes education may support the development of health promoting medication beliefs potentially supporting optimal medication-taking behavior.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100600"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143854831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nocebo effect in inhaler use: Patients' beliefs and treatment adherence","authors":"Eduardo Garcia-Pachon ,&nbsp;María J. Soler-Sempere ,&nbsp;Sandra Ruiz-Alcaraz ,&nbsp;Ana Ibarra-Macia ,&nbsp;Marina Belendez-Vazquez","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100602","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100602","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The nocebo effect refers to the experience of nonspecific symptoms attributed to medical treatments, which cannot be explained by the pharmacological effects of the medication. This phenomenon, where symptoms are incorrectly linked to a treatment, can have significant implications for treatment adherence and may lead to increased patient demand for medical assistance.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To ascertain the frequency and types of nocebo effects attributed to inhaler use, along with the associated factors.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>An interview was conducted to inquire about adverse effects attributed to inhalers. Additionally, questionnaires on beliefs about medications, general and specific to inhalers, and perceived sensitivity to medications scale were administered. Adherence to inhaled therapy was established using the inhaler adherence test and the electronic prescription refill rate at the pharmacy.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 134 patients were included, among whom 21 (16 %) attributed symptoms to inhalers that were considered to be due to the nocebo effect. Patients experiencing nocebo-related symptoms exhibited greater concerns about using inhalers, heightened sensitivity to drug effects, and lower therapeutic adherence.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>A significant proportion of patients receiving inhaler therapy associate negative symptoms that are not reasonably attributable to the inhalers themselves. Patients prone to attributing nonspecific symptoms to inhalers differ in their beliefs about medications and exhibit lower therapeutic adherence compared to others.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100602"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143824274","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Self-care methods use for acne treatment among health science students","authors":"Sari Taha ,&nbsp;Manal Taha ,&nbsp;Sa’ed H. Zyoud","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100601","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100601","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The use of self-care methods, such as over-the-counter (OTC) products and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), is common along the acne care pathway. This study aimed to explore self-care methods for acne and assess their associations with acne severity.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This cross-sectional study was conducted among university students in health programs. Convenience sampling was used to invite participants to complete a survey containing sociodemographic, clinical, and self-care-related questions. Acne diagnosis and severity were evaluated by a physician via the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS). A multivariate regression model was used to analyze the associations between variables.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The final sample comprised 190 participants, with 24.2 % males and 70.8 % females. Most participants had mild acne (77.4 %) and reported positive family histories (82.1 %). Approximately one-third used OTC products (31.1 %), and nearly two-thirds used CAM (62.6 %). The most frequently used OTC products were facial cleansers (48.2 %), followed by creams and moisturizers (30.7 %) and cleansing soap (21.1 %). A lack of acne severity was the primary reason for the use of CAM. Social media (46.7 %) and the internet (46.2 %) were the most frequently reported sources of information. Acne severity was associated with OTC product use (<em>p</em> <em>=</em> 0.009) and the duration of acne (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). Furthermore, OTC product use was associated with receiving a professional diagnosis (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study identified the most common OTC products and CAM used in acne and demonstrated an association between OTC product use and acne severity. Future studies should explore discussions on self-care methods in clinical consultations and the timing of using these methods throughout the care pathway. Integrating shared decision-making in clinical practice and tailoring educational interventions to patient preferences and communication channels may encourage the safe and effective use of self-care methods.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100601"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143799783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Benefits and challenges associated with implementation and ongoing use of automated dispensing cabinet for medicines: A scoping review","authors":"Yoo Young Jung ,&nbsp;Áine Walsh ,&nbsp;Jig Patel ,&nbsp;Kit Lai","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100599","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100599","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>When deciding whether to adopt a digital healthcare technology, there is a need to fully grasp the benefits as well as understand any potential challenges from the outset, to enable appropriate mitigations to be considered as part of implementation plans. Automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) have been increasingly used in hospitals as a means of streamlining medicines use workflows, facilitating medicine management, saving costs, and improving patient safety. Manufacturers commonly reference the benefits of ADCs but rarely outline the challenges. It is important that senior leaders in healthcare understand both the benefits and challenges of ADCs prior to implementation, to ensure the technology is implemented in areas where the benefits can be most maximally achieved and the challenges mitigated in so far as possible. A scoping review methodology was used to map existing literature focussing on the benefits and challenges of ADC use with medicines. Following a preliminary search to identify key terms, extensive literature searches were conducted in Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Global Health, and Web of Science. Among 234 articles identified from the search, 54 articles were included for full data extraction. Extracted information included publication date and origin, study aims &amp; objectives, study setting, medication distribution model, technology infrastructure, overarching category, area of focus, and key findings. The findings were discussed in terms of implications for broad trends and future research directions. Although results indicate that there is an abundance of published literature on benefits and challenges associated with ADC use with medicines, there are only a handful of UK studies. Differences in settings, distribution models, workflows and technology infrastructure limit the overall ability to generalise findings. Further UK-based studies carried out in different settings with varying levels of technological infrastructure is imperative to not only track the impact of ADCs but also to inform practice to ensure the continued delivery of benefits. Further studies focusing particularly on the impact of stock optimisation and the management of CDs (Controlled drugs) would be key areas of focus.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100599"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143806962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Facilitators and barriers to medication self-management for patients with multiple long-term conditions transitioning from hospital to home","authors":"Malin Olsen Syversen ,&nbsp;Mikas Glatkauskas ,&nbsp;Liv Mathiesen ,&nbsp;Marianne Lea ,&nbsp;Berit Gallefoss Denstad ,&nbsp;Karin Svensberg","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100598","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100598","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Being a patient with multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) often entails a need for complex medication treatment, which poses a challenge to medication self-management. Medication self-management during transition of care is often hindered by challenges such as inadequate communication, which increases the risk of medication errors and adverse outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>Identify facilitators and barriers to medication self-management for patients with MLTCs transitioning from hospital to home.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Semi-structured interviews were conducted in patient's homes 1–2 weeks after hospital discharge. Interviews were transcribed and analysed by qualitative deductive content analysis using the Taxonomy of Every Day Self-management Strategies (TEDSS) framework. The data collection continued until enough information power and meaning saturation was reached.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Twenty-one patients and three next of kin participated. Numerous facilitators and barriers to medication self-management were identified within all seven TEDSS domains, which varied extensively between individuals. Resource and process strategies were the most frequently discussed domains, while health behaviour and social interaction strategies were less frequently discussed. Key facilitators identified were access to resources that support medication self-management and knowing the medication's purpose. Key barriers included patients perceiving medications as burdensome or not recognising the importance of their medications.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study highlights the complex and wide spectre of facilitators and barriers to medication self-management for patients with MLTCs transitioning from hospital to home. In clinical practice, patients' medication self-management could be supported through a holistic approach adapted to the individual patient's daily life, including improved care coordination and patient empowerment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100598"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143792295","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geriatric patients' views on a pharmacist-led follow-up programme after discharge from hospital","authors":"Sofia Svahn ,&nbsp;Gisselle Gallego ,&nbsp;Maria Gustafsson ,&nbsp;Marcia Håkansson Lindqvist","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100597","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100597","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Medication-related problems (MRPs) are common during transitions of care and can lead to hospital readmissions. This patient safety issue is especially pronounced among geriatric patients. In a randomised controlled trial (RCT), the effect of a pharmacist-led follow-up programme after discharge from hospital for people ≥75 years in the north of Sweden was investigated. One of the components in the programme was telephone calls to study participants, to find and manage MRPs.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To explore study participants' views on follow-up telephone calls by a clinical pharmacist in the RCT.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants who had received an intervention in the RCT. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In total, nine participants were interviewed. Four main themes were generated: 1. Experiences of the telephone counselling by the clinical pharmacist, 2. Acceptability of receiving telephone follow-up from a clinical pharmacist, 3. Communication with health care providers, and 4. Medication management and views about medications.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The study revealed varying perceptions of the clinical pharmacists' telephone calls, with participants expressing diverse experiences and preferences regarding the service. Most participants said they considered the content relevant and comprehensible in the conversations. The effect of the follow-up programme may have improved if the role of the clinical pharmacist had been explained in more detail to the participants and if the service would have had a more person-centred focus. More research is needed regarding how to best support geriatric patients with their medication treatment in transitions of care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100597"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143806963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Through the lens of rural patients and pharmacies: A content analysis of state level pharmacy benefit manager regulations and policies","authors":"Tyler C. Melton ,&nbsp;MaryKathleen Ryan ,&nbsp;Andrew M. Stallings ,&nbsp;Sang H. Park ,&nbsp;Cameron Lanier ,&nbsp;Jordan Marie Ballou ,&nbsp;Meagen Rosenthal","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100595","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100595","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are responsible for establishing community pharmacy reimbursement practices and prices to varying degrees. Understanding PBMs' reimbursement practices is necessary for the continued viability of community pharmacies located in underserved and rural patient communities. Currently, there is a gap in literature exploring PBM reform and the impact this legislation has on rural pharmacy practice.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This content analysis reviews the legislation complied by the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and determines its benefits to pharmacies and patients in rural areas.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The NCPA PBM Reform legislation document included bills from 48 states and the District of Columbia, that were introduced between November 30, 2018, through December 7, 2021. Bills were classified as enacted (<em>n</em> = 81), in debate (<em>n</em> = 186), or as having failed to be enacted (<em>n</em> = 120). Eighty-one enacted bills were reviewed to assess if it benefited patients, pharmacies, or both. Bills not benefiting either pharmacies or patients were excluded.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Fifty-seven bills were included in the content analysis, where six categories were identified using thematic analysis and classified as: PBM Operations, Drug Pricing, Transparency, Reimbursements, Cost Sharing, and Prior Authorization. Only twenty-two bills were identified as potentially benefitting both rural pharmacies and rural patients through inclusion of legislation managing PBM practices involving patient steering, network adequacy, pricing transparency, reforming cost-sharing structures, and streamlining prior authorization processes.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study identifies multiple PBM legislation categories having the potential to impact rural pharmacy operations and patient outcomes. However, further research is needed to understand the specific financial and clinical impact of these PBM legislation categories on rural communities and rural pharmacy practice, as well as their alignment with enabling pharmacists to combat unique health disparities and challenges facing rural communities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100595"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143760556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vitamin D testing in pharmacies: Results of a federal screening campaign","authors":"Olaf Rose ,&nbsp;Stefanie Eppacher ,&nbsp;Johanna Pachmayr ,&nbsp;Stephanie Clemens","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100596","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100596","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The convenient accessibility of pharmacies positions them as optimal venues for screening initiatives. There is growing public concern regarding vitamin D levels, particularly during the winter months in middle-and northern latitudes. This study aimed to assess vitamin D levels in early spring and to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a large-scale screening campaign within pharmacies.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This investigation was structured as a cross-sectional multicenter survey conducted in a routine care setting. Data collection was performed in a fully anonymized manner. An automatic fluorescent immunoassay system was utilized for point-of-care-testing, and both patient and provider questionnaires were developed. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively. Both parametric- and nonparametric statistical tests were performed to analyze the data, ensuring robust results across different assumptions. A resulting maturity matrix for implementation was conceptualized.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Over a two-week campaign, 62 community pharmacies conducted a total of 2770 vitamin D tests. All participants completed the questionnaire, and 45 pharmacists participated in a retrospective survey. Vitamin D deficiency was identified in 56.2 % of participants, while 25.2 % exhibited levels of insufficiency. A higher BMI was associated with lower vitamin D levels, whereas daily supplementation correlated with higher levels compared to intermittent or weekly dosing regimens. The vast majority of patients expressed high satisfaction with the services provided. Pharmacists valued the positive feedback from patients and expressed enthusiasm for further testing and the advancement of clinical pharmacy services. The resulting maturity matrix facilitates corporate implementation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The implementation of a large-scale federal vitamin D screening campaign proved to be feasible and resulted in high levels of satisfaction among both patients and providers. The findings indicated significantly low vitamin D levels among participants. Pharmacists expressed a desire for an expansion of clinical pharmacy services in the future.</div><div>Vitamin D testing in pharmacies: results of a federal screening campaign.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100596"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143735125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Streamlining and improving controlled drug dispensary workload in a London teaching hospital following the implementation of automated dispensing cabinets on wards: A quality improvement project","authors":"Áine Walsh,&nbsp;Emma Jeffrey,&nbsp;Kit Lai","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100594","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100594","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;An efficiently run pharmacy dispensary has the potential to positively impact patients stay in hospital. Pharmacy dispensary providers work in a fast-paced, hectic environment and are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with workload demands. In order to meet the increasing demand on resources, pharmacy teams are incorporating Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives to improve efficiencies within systems for the purpose of freeing up nursing and pharmacy staff time, improve patient flow and improve patient safety. This QI project sought to develop a standardised inventory control formula for controlled drugs (CDs) stocked in ADCs in clinical locations in order to reduce the frequency of CD stock orders, minimise the requirement for manual nurse generated orders and in doing so streamline workload for dispensaries whilst ensuring sufficient CD stock holding levels in clinical locations. The introduction of ADCs corresponded with an increase in dispensary workload at the main hospital site at King's College Hospital (KCH). Retrospective time series analysis of the monthly CD dispensing data was analysed for Surgical and Trauma wards over a 27-month period using the Statistical Control Process (SPC) tool. Volume of stock CD dispensing transactions, volume of stock Vs non-stock CD dispensing transactions, volume of weekday vs weekend, morning, afternoon and out of hours CD stock workload were measured. Two interventions were implemented: (i) stock optimisation informed by the utilisation of CD dispensing data issued from the ADC in central pharmacy; (ii) stocklist rationalisation to ensure the most commonly used CDs were added to CD stocklists and the least commonly used CDs were removed from stocklists in addition to the development of a standardised inventory management formula. The main outcome measure was the volume of stock CD dispensing transactions processed by central pharmacy. Secondary outcome measures included the volume of stock CD dispensing transactions at weekends Vs weekdays in addition to the split in workload between mornings, afternoons and out of hours. A reduction in stock CD workload for Surgical and Trauma wards was demonstrated following the stock optimisation review whereas this was not significantly impacted by the stock rationalisation or application of the standardised inventory management formula. Weekend workload reduced by 30 % in comparison to pre-ADC baseline period. Morning, afternoon and out of hours CD stock workload demonstrated a sustained improvement following stock optimisation, stock rationalisation and following the application of the standardised inventory management formula. The only exception to this sustained improvement was in October 2023 following the implementation of a new Trust wide EMPA system. The perfect formula to determine CD stock inventory levels remains elusive, however, as nurses are still required to order stock manually via CD requisition books for stock CD requests. Conti","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100594"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143725745","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}