Development of a computerized controlled substances system.
Maintaining controlled substances records are a required and tedious task. A computerized system was developed to meet both pharmacy and nursing needs. The original system consisted of several notebook binders that were tabbed to separate different controlled substances. Pharmacy was constantly dealing with transcription errors and incorrect calculations. In the computerized program, each controlled substance was assigned its own file and mnemonic. The computer allowed for entries and maintained a running inventory. The troubleshooter pharmacist's role was redefined to oversee of the entire system, to have sole access to the entire system, and to maintain a weekly inventory. Improvements also were made in the nursing procedure, which provided a sufficient stock of controlled substances. A new, consolidated nursing form also was devised. The primary reason that the computerized system is successful is that it accommodates the needs of both nursing and pharmacy.
Shifrin
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United Hospitals Medical Center, Newark, NJ 07107.
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D016303:Clinical Pharmacy Information Systems; D003626:Data Display; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D006745:Hospital Bed Capacity, 300 to 499; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007445:Inventories, Hospital; D009515:New Jersey; D009738:Nursing Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration