Perspectives on pharmacy-coordinated drug administration programs.

Abstract

This article has described the history, operation, and impact of a pharmacy-coordinated drug administration program that existed for 20 years. It enabled pharmacy to reduce medication errors and expand its clinical role. It is not clear whether medication error rates have increased or will increase as a result of transferring this responsibility back to nursing. The clinical programs have been well established, so that their existence no longer depends on the program. Recent audit results suggest that pharmacy-nursing relations are not as good. PCUDDA programs still have a logical place in organized health care settings, particularly in view of the nursing shortage and nursing salaries. The program has clearly proven to be safe and effective and to reduce the incidence of medication errors. It is also likely to reduce cost. It is unfortunate that decisions about programs such as PCUDDA are often made on the basis of professional turf and politics rather than on patient care and economic factors, which should be the basis for such decisions.