Evaluation of the Management of Emergency Drug Boxes in Wards at Komfo Anokye Hospital (KATH)
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Date
2009-08-11
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Abstract
This is an evaluative study into the management of the emergency drug boxes at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Ghana. It was aimed at assessing the extent of adherence to the emergency drug management policy of the hospital. By simple random sampling, 29 wards were selected for the study in addition to the interview of 60 staff conveniently selected. An observation checklist, an interview guide and a questionnaire were used to assess the emergency drug boxes, ward in-charges and pharmacist, and other health professionals respectively.
The results showed that 34% of the wards did not have emergency drug boxes because it had not been requested for (40%), or it had not been given to the ward (40%). Eighty four percent (84.2%) of the emergency drug boxes available were found in the wards, 68% of the boxes were not labelled and, 37% of the boxes did not have drug list available. Access to the content of the boxes were difficult because 68% did not have keys readily available for use. Of those that had keys available, 68% contained expired drugs. Ninety percent of staff interviewed was dissatisfied with the management of the emergency drug boxes because; drugs were not replaced (79.6%). The reason for non-replacement of the content of the emergency drug boxes included workload (46.2%) and forgetfulness (30.8%). The emergency drug boxes were not regularly monitored (32%). Out of the boxes regularly inspected, there was no documentation (50%) for that activity.
It was concluded that the management of the emergency drug boxes at the wards of KATH from June 2008-August 2008 did not meet the prescription for the emergency drug boxes guidelines of the hospital. It was therefore recommended that the hospital management revive the essence of the use of emergency drug boxes and ensure strict supervision on its effective management by the directorates.
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A Thesis submitted to the Department of Social and Clinical Pharmacy
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Kumasi in partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree Of Master of Science, 2009