{
  "abstract": "Background and Importance Automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) are increasingly implemented in European hospitals. Their purpose is to improve medication safety and to optimise management and availability of medications. Several studies have examined return on investment, barriers and facilitators during implementation and impact on drug administration errors and process efficiency.Aim and Objectives This qualitative study explored the experiences of nurses, the main end users, several years after ADC implementation in a University Hospital and across diverse clinical environments. The objective was to identify difficulties encountered by this population and to highlight targeted improvement measures.Material and Methods A focus group methodology was adopted. The COREQ checklist guided transparent reporting of the study. Twenty-seven nurses from twenty care units participated in four 90-minute focus groups sessions, one of them involving nurse managers. A structured interview guide standardised discussions, organised into three main steps: identification of issues, prioritisation of themes, and suggesting solutions. Participants wrote ideas on post-its, grouped by themes on a board.Results Priority themes identified by nurses included incorrect dosage interpretations by the system, overrides, and additional time required when using ADCs. Other frequently reported issues concerned the limitations of the dispensing process and misunderstandings of its features, the management of unused drug returns, and the storage space recovery procedures. At least one group also mentioned the global search function and the lack of standardised training. Proposed solutions included regular training sessions, extension of dispensing hours, and enhancing the system’s interpretation of prescriptions.Among nurse managers, the top concern was the management of discrepancies involving controlled substances. Two further priorities emerged: staff training and management of access rights. Suggested solutions included clarification of discrepancy resolution labels, systematic team training, and automation of access rights allocation.Conclusion and Relevance Several years after implementation, ADCs remain associated with persistent challenges in nursing practice. These findings align with literature highlighting both safety benefits and persistent limitations related to overrides and controlled substance management. Standardised training, technical optimisations, and clarified procedures were identified as corrective measures and are consistent with recommendations. Future work should assess their impact on nursing practices, medication safety, and process efficiency.Conflict of Interest No conflict of interest",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University Hospitals of Geneva, Pharmacy, Geneva, Switzerland"
      ],
      "name": "R Troudi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Geneva, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, Geneva, Switzerland"
      ],
      "name": "R Troudi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University Hospitals of Geneva, Pharmacy, Geneva, Switzerland"
      ],
      "name": "O Francois"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University Hospitals of Geneva, Nursing Directorate, Geneva, Switzerland"
      ],
      "name": "C Massebiaux Bazerque"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University Hospitals of Geneva, Pharmacy, Geneva, Switzerland"
      ],
      "name": "P Bonnabry"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Geneva, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, Geneva, Switzerland"
      ],
      "name": "P Bonnabry"
    }
  ],
  "title": "5PSQ-076 Identifying barriers and opportunities for improvement in nurses’ use of automated dispensing cabinets: a focus group study",
  "uid": "38ba2888-1ce8-5474-ba02-77df7f1a1051"
}