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An Evaluation of a Microcomputer in Reducing the Preparation Time of Parenteral Nutrition Solutions
Author(s) -
Rich Darryl S.,
Karnack Charles M.,
Jeffrey Louis P.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.935
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1941-2444
pISSN - 0148-6071
DOI - 10.1177/014860718200600171
Subject(s) - worksheet , microcomputer , parenteral nutrition , pharmacy , medicine , pharmacist , computer science , emergency medicine , nursing , intensive care medicine , mathematics , telecommunications , chip , mathematics education
A microcomputer was evaluated in reducing the activities of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in processing orders for parenteral nutrition (PN) solutions. A program in BASIC was developed for a Radio Shack TRS‐80 microcomputer. The program maintains a patient profile, prints a label, generates a worksheet for the preparation of solutions, and provides statistical data for the Pharmacy Nutritional Support Service. A direct time study by intensive samplings was performed on 24 patients utilizing 51 units of PN solution. The computerized method was compared to the current manual method for processing PN orders. The computerized method significantly reduced the processing time (p < 0.001), saving an average of 2.61 minutes/order. This represented 41.3% of the manual processing time. The time savings was greater when two or more units per patient were ordered (3.37 minutes/ order) when compared to patients who received only one unit of PN (0.76 minutes/order). At Rhode Island Hospital, this would result in a savings in time of 300 to 400 hours annually. The authors concluded that a microcomputer is a valuable addition to a nutritional support service. In addition, it should provide the pharmacist with substantially more time to engage in activities related to the care of patients receiving PN solutions.