Hello,

we would like to revamp our medication transfer process. We are not consistent in transferring medications along with patients. While nursing is deemed responsible for this task, processes vary pending the unit and type of transfer. We are interested in what other organizations do and if you encounter similar problems.

1. How often is it perceived that medications are lost during patient transfer, and/or do you have actual numbers? If you have actual counts, what metrics/methods are you using to identify meds lost during transfer?

2. How is the medication transfer process organized? Is it nursing vs. pharmacy driven, or both?

3. What methods have been used to improve the rates of medication transfer between units? What about for transfers to and from the operating room?

4. What strategies are used to facilitate pharmacy cartfill delivery to the correct location if a patient transfers during the cartfill process (e.g. the label prints with the patient's prior unit as the location and not the new receiving unit)?

Thank you for your help!
Rosemary