An audit to investigate the proportion of patients bringing their own medications (PODs) on admission to the Royal Alexandra hospital

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: Patients’ own drugs (PODs) are medicines that patients have obtained through a prescription in a hospital or community setting and bring to the hospital. Little is known across NHSGGC about the number of patients bringing PODs on admission, thus the board were keen to explore the different patterns within the hospital setting. The purpose of this audit was to investigate the proportion of PODs brought to hospital during admission. Methods: Adult patients in the receiving and downstream units at RAH who met the inclusion criteria were interviewed to determine if they had brought PODs, and the possible reasons for not doing so. Besides patient interviews, data collection was completed by checking the medical notes, Kardexes, PODs locker beside bed or other cupboards in the treatment room. Microsoft excel was used to analysis the results. Result: Out of 190 patients enrolled in this audit, 48% (n=91) brought all their PODs into hospital on admission; 6% (n=11) of patients brought some of their PODs; while 46% (n=88) did not bring any PODs. The majority of those patients who were unable to bring PODS (n=56) came to the hospital by ambulance. A total of 9 (20%) of the 45 POD transfers were not carried out in a safe manner to a downstream unit. Conclusion: The proportion of patients who brought PODs on admission did not meet the audit standard; inability to bring PODs could result in an increase in medication errors and a reduction in the accuracy of medication reconciliation. Establishing a programme or campaign to encourage patients and ambulance paramedics to bring PODs on admission, would have a positive impact on the total number, and hence improve medication reconciliation.