Abstract:
Medication related problems occur when the outcome of medicine use is not optimal. This often results in a significant strain on the health delivery system and contributes to mortality, morbidity and escalation of healthcare costs. Potential and actual medication related problems can occur at any stage of the medicine use process.
This study assessed the effects and/or challenges of implementing individualized in-patient dispensing systems and medication related problems in Kenyatta National Hospital’s medical wards. A quasi experimental study design was applied and a systematic random sample of 236 patient files before, and 207 files after, the introduction of individualized dispensing system were selected. An incidental sample of 25 health workers were surveyed on challenges faced. Descriptive and inferential data analysis was performed.
Challenges faced included inadequate medicine storage facilities, patient management software anomalies, delay in ordering patient medicines and increased workload. There was a high prevalence of medication related problems (97.5 % vs.95.7 %) with potential drug interactions (80.9 % vs. 69.9 %) and non adherence (80.9 % vs.91.3 %) being most common.
There are several challenges encountered in implementation of individualized dispensing and many medication related problems at Kenyatta National Hospital.
