Assessing the transfer of medications from ICU to ward level

Imperial College NHS Trust

Project summary

I auditted the transfer of medications from ICU to ward level at St Mary's Hospital. I decided to do this audit as I had noticed many medications were left behind on ICU once a patient had been discharged to the ward. This can impact many aspects of care and the NHS in general, including patient safety as they may have missed or omitted doses of critical medications as their medications remain on ICU.

This audit also took into account the cost aspect. From this audit which was recorded over 6 weeks, I found £370.48 worth of medications which should have gone with the respective patient. This money was saved as I was able to either deliver the medications to the patient on the ward for use, or I returned them into stock.

Other outcomes include discovering that 8 medications left behind were classed as critical medicines and finding out what formulation is most likely to be left behind (tablets/capsules formulation)