Missing medications- International Nurses Association

Missing Medications Missing medications from a hospital can be an accident, a mistake, or theft.

When medications are missing, there will be an investigation to determine the appropriate action to take.

A Case of Missing Medications A 6-month long investigation took place in one medical, facility. Medications were being ordered in large quantities and then ending up missing. Initially, it could not be determined where the medications were going, so a more complete investigation was conducted. As it turned out multiple hospitals were involved, and it was an organized group that had several hospital staff working with them. People lost jobs and went to prison over their very poor choices.

Related: Having a Bad Day? A pharmacist that owned a pharmacy was fortunately caught, as he was diluting cancer medications and selling the remainder for huge profits. This was especially difficult as several paints had passed away while taking prescribed chemo drugs that came from this pharmacy. The pharmacist was acting alone and was convicted for his actions.

Sadly, it is not uncommon to have a case of theft where medications are involved. With the regulations, and video cameras, plus observant coworkers, rarely does the culprit not get caught.

Mistakes with Medications Mistakes can happen, and mistakes with medication are not an exception.

Transposing of numbers, a handwritten error, or simply miscounting can throw inventory off and alert officials that medications are missing. In these cases, an audit generally finds the error fairly quick, and the situation is resolved. A supplier can also make a mistake and short you what is documented you are receiving. It's very important to count and make sure you see each and every medication box that is being delivered, a box short could cause numerous problems, including time and money.

Medications are carefully monitored at every hospital and pharmacy. Rules and regulations are put in place to safeguard medications, and for the most part, this is working well. Most facilities now have measures in place that will ensure the right patient receives the right medication.

The problem with missing medications has subsided considerably over the years; statistics show a drop in incidents.

1975- hospitals that reported at that time, reported as much as 33% of the prescription medications were unaccounted for.

1982- at this time more guidelines were being put in place to ensure medications were not being abused.

1990- computers were making it easier to document and track inventory of medications. About 15% of hospitals were using computers for inventory control.

1998- 60% of hospitals now rely on computers and video cameras to control medications and to secure the medication closet.

2009- 96% of all hospitals use computers at this time, and video monitoring is ensuring medications are being administered properly and not misplaced.

2017- you would be hard pressed to find a facility that does not control medication inventory with computers. There are also multiple security efforts in p, ace to ensure medications are not missing. More safeguards than ever before protect medical staff, and medications from complications.

Related: Preventing Dry Chapped Hands One nurse mentioned that in the 1970’s, when a noticeable amount of medications was missing, they would have the equivalent of a shake down of employees, and actually find medications almost every time. Today it is rare to have medications missing, with controls so strict, it would be quite difficult to conceal a theft of medication.

Insurance companies for medical centers do random audits to ensure medication safety, including the security of all prescribed drugs. All nurses should be cautious when getting medications for patients, and be certain they have the correct amount and no more.

The good news is, today only about 1% of medications are missing and unaccounted for.

Related: Leading Registered Nurse, Linda K. Tilley, RN, will be Announced in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter