The document discusses unit dose medication distribution systems. It defines a unit dose system as a pharmacy-coordinated method for dispensing and controlling medications in organized healthcare settings where medications are packaged in single units and dispensed in a ready-to-administer form. The document reviews the basic elements, advantages, disadvantages and types of unit dose systems. It also provides details about the specific unit dose system used at Dar El Shefa hospital, including medication verification, dispensing, preparation, double checking and returning of unused medications.

1. UNIT DOSE SYSTEM
Prepared by :
Marwa M. Goda
Clinical pharmacist
Dar el Shefa hospital

2. IN THIS LECTURE YOU ARE GOING TO LEARN :
 Unit dose system definition .
 Basic elements of any unit dose system .
 Advantages.
 Disadvantages.
 Types of unit dose systems.
 Procedures .
 Returning of the unused drugs.

3. MEDICATION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
 Bulk Ward stock.
 Individual medication orders.
 Unit dose systems.
 Automated dispensing systems .
Which system are you using during dispensing ?

4. DEFINITION OF UNIT DOSE SYSTEM
 The unit dose system of medication distribution is a
pharmacy-coordinated method of dispensing and
controlling medications in organized health-care
settings.

5. BASIC ELEMENTS TO ALL UNIT DOSE
SYSTEMS:
 Medications are contained in single unit packages.

6.  They are dispensed in as ready-to-administer form
as possible.

7.  For most medications, not more than a 24-hour
supply a of doses is delivered.

8.  Availability at the patient-care area at any time.

9. ADVANTAGES OF UNIT DOSE
SYSTEMS:
1. A reduction in the incidence of medication errors.
2. A decrease in the total cost of medication-related
Activities(prevent duplication in paper & ordering work at
nursing station & pharmacy).
3. A more efficient usage of pharmacy and nursing
personnel, allowing for more direct patient-care
involvement by pharmacists and nurses.
4. Improved overall drug control and drug use
monitoring.
5. More accurate patient billings for drugs.

10. 6. The elimination or minimization of drug credits.
7. Greater control by the pharmacist over
pharmacy work load patterns and staff scheduling.
8. A reduction in the size of drug inventories
located inpatient-care areas.
.
9. Greater adaptability to computerized and
automated procedures.

11. the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists
considers the unit dose system to be an essential
part of drug distribution and control
in organized health-care settings in which drug
therapy is an integral component of health-care
delivery

12. DISADVANTAGES :
 More pharmacy processing time and equipment cost.
 Requires more storage place.
 Not a big cost saving to the pharmacy.

16. UNIT DOSING SYSTEM AT DAR EL SHEFA HOSPITAL

17. A- MEDICATION VERIFICATION
 Medication orders are being verified for being
appropriate for each individual patient e.g. drug
selection , dose , route of administration ..etc

18. B-DISPENSING THE UNIT DOSE
 Dispensing the 24 hrs dose for each patient
considering the proper techniques :

21. DISPENSING THE UNIT DOSE CONT.
 Separation of the doses in the nursery units

25. C-PREPARATION
 Medications are being prepared at the preparation
room by pharmacists following the proper
techniques :

27. Preparation
& labeling

29. Pharmacist-Nurse
double check

30. THEN TO THE PATIENT ,,

31. RETURN OF UNUSED MEDICINES
They should meet certain requirements :
- Drugs are provided in the manufacturers unit dose
packaging or are repackaged by the pharmacy in a sealed
single unit dose container .
-The drug is repackaged by the pharmacy, each single unit
dose repackaged or repackaged container must be labeled
in accordance with the regulation.
-The drugs packaging is tamper resistant.
-The drugs do not show evidence of contamination.
-The drugs have not reached the expiration date.
-The drugs have not been redispensed in packaging that
intermingles different drugs in a single compartment