Question

question 18

which of the following aspects of an automated medication delivery system increases patient safety during the medication dispensing process?

medications are dispensed from a specific storage bin.
medications are available in patient care areas.
medications are tracked and restocked accurately.
medications are only available to authorized personal.

Explanation:

Analyze the question and options

The question asks which aspect of an automated medication delivery system (such as an Automated Dispensing Cabinet, or ADC) directly increases patient safety during the dispensing process.

Let's evaluate each option:

• Medications are dispensed from a specific storage bin: This feature (often utilizing locked, single-dose, or profiled bins) ensures that the practitioner can only access the specific medication prescribed for a specific patient at that moment. This directly prevents selection errors during the dispensing process.
• Medications are available in patient care areas: This describes a benefit of decentralized distribution (accessibility and speed), but does not directly increase safety during the actual dispensing act.
• Medications are tracked and restocked accurately: This relates to inventory management and replenishment safety, rather than the patient-specific dispensing process.
• Medications are only available to authorized personal: This is a security and regulatory compliance feature, rather than a direct clinical safety mechanism during the patient-specific dispensing step.

Apply mastered concepts

Using the Automated Dispensing Cabinets and Dispensing Safety knowledge points

• Automated dispensing systems use patient-profiled, single-access storage bins to prevent selection errors.
• Restricting access to a specific storage bin containing only the requested medication at the time of dispensing is the primary mechanism that prevents "wrong drug" errors during the dispensing phase.

Answer:

• (A) Medications are dispensed from a specific storage bin. (Correct answer)
• (B) Medications are available in patient care areas.
• (C) Medications are tracked and restocked accurately.
• (D) Medications are only available to authorized personal.