Process optimization has not only improved efficiency in medication preparation
Viva Luzern AG operates five care centers and 230 serviced apartments in Lucerne. In addition to basic care, Viva Luzern offers a wide range of specialized care by qualified professionals, as well as a warm and welcoming environment for residents and their families.
Optimization through centralized preparation – improved medication safety
Prompted by changes in how medication reimbursement is handled by health insurers, Viva Luzern also reviewed its medication preparation process. A dedicated project team analysed the existing preparation process and the associated controls. Up to that point, medication was prepared by nurses at each of the five locations. The project revealed that centralising the purchase and preparation of medications for the approximately 900 residents would be more effective in meeting the new requirements.
Several systems were evaluated: full outsourcing, automatic blistering using a blister machine, blister cards, and other advanced preparation systems.
Besides economic factors, a key aspect for the project team was ensuring that internal nursing staff retained in-depth knowledge about medications and their everyday effects on residents. This professional expertise should be preserved, strengthened and integrated into the entire distribution process to minimize potential errors.
After evaluating various systems and market options, the project team chose a solution from Wiegand. All individually blistered medications (tablets, sachets) are prepared by pharmacy assistants in specially designated preparation rooms. Based on the therapy plan, medications are sorted by resident and unit into day dispensers for a whole week. Additional and reserve medications are provided in separate containers. Once a week, the medications are delivered in Wiegand’s CollectBoxes by Viva Luzern’s internal transport service to the residential units. The previous week’s empty materials are returned to the central pharmacy for reuse. Before administration, medications are checked again by nursing staff and de-blistered directly in front of the resident.
Efficiency in preparation – Safe medication management
The process optimizations have significantly increased both the efficiency and safety of medication management for residents. Error prevention is a top priority and is more easily monitored thanks to multiple control steps in the preparation process.
Six months after implementation, Viva Luzern reports positive results and recommends Wiegand’s daily and weekly systems.
