{
  "abstract": "Background and Importance The use of novel barcode scanning technologies is crucial for patient safety, process optimisation, and the reduction of medication errors, in addition to providing a financial return for healthcare institutions. The lack of medication traceability within the hospital environment created the need for a mobile solution through the acquisition of barcode scanners and personal digital assistants (PDAs), ensuring that the barcode capture is performed at the point of movement.Aim and Objectives To implement PDAs into the medication distribution (dispensing) and medication return processes.Material and Methods The processes were evaluated in three phases: planning/acquisition, execution, and evaluation. To measure the results, data were collected on the time dedicated to medication distribution, receiving, and return activities, as well as costs associated with labour and paper consumption, using automated records from the distribution system, pharmacy control spreadsheets, and nursing team audits. Indicators analysed included hours per day spent on each process, cost per hour ratio, number of paper packages used, and detailed reasons for returns, during the period from January to July 2025, covering 551 patient-days. The comparative analysis before and after implementation utilised descriptive statistics and internal validation by a multidisciplinary team.Results The patient discharge dispensing and medication verification processes were optimised, resulting in a reduction of 11.8 hours/day (354 hours/month) in labour time, yielding a saving of €1,288.10 in man-hour costs. For medication receiving, there was a reduction of 6.1 hours/day (183 hours/month), resulting in a saving of €1,549.47 in man-hour costs. Paper consumption was significantly reduced from 81 to 30 packages of 500 sheets (January to July 2025). Additionally, the time spent on medication returns decreased by 52% and the accuracy of return reasons was significantly improved.Conclusion and Relevance The adoption of new technologies, such as PDAs and barcode scanners, promotes the optimisation of clinical support processes, resulting in faster patient discharge dispensing, picking verification, and medication receiving. The electronic medication return process performed by the nursing team enhances the accuracy of reasons and streamlines reverse logistics, contributing to more efficient and safer medication management.Conflict of Interest No conflict of interest",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Divisao De Farmacia- Instituto Central- Hospital Das Clinicas Hcfmusp- Faculdade De Medicina- Universidade De Sao Paulo- Sao Paulo- Sp- Brasil., Divisao De Farmacia, São Paulo, Brazil"
      ],
      "name": "EM Lindh"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Divisao De Farmacia- Instituto Central- Hospital Das Clinicas Hcfmusp- Faculdade De Medicina- Universidade De Sao Paulo- Sao Paulo- Sp- Brasil., Divisao De Farmacia, São Paulo, Brazil"
      ],
      "name": "C Chaves"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Divisao De Farmacia- Instituto Central- Hospital Das Clinicas Hcfmusp- Faculdade De Medicina- Universidade De Sao Paulo- Sao Paulo- Sp- Brasil., Divisao De Farmacia, São Paulo, Brazil"
      ],
      "name": "LB Gomes"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Divisao De Farmacia- Instituto Central- Hospital Das Clinicas Hcfmusp- Faculdade De Medicina- Universidade De Sao Paulo- Sao Paulo- Sp- Brasil., Divisao De Farmacia, São Paulo, Brazil"
      ],
      "name": "VB Pinto"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Divisao De Farmacia- Instituto Central- Hospital Das Clinicas Hcfmusp- Faculdade De Medicina- Universidade De Sao Paulo- Sao Paulo- Sp- Brasil., Divisao De Farmacia, São Paulo, Brazil"
      ],
      "name": "ACP Sforsin"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Divisao De Enfermagem- Instituto Central- Hospital Das Clinicas Hcfmusp- Faculdade De Medicina- Universidade De Sao Paulo- Sao Paulo- Sp- Brasil., Divisao De Enfermagem, São Paulo, Brazil"
      ],
      "name": "KA Couto"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Divisao De Enfermagem- Instituto Central- Hospital Das Clinicas Hcfmusp- Faculdade De Medicina- Universidade De Sao Paulo- Sao Paulo- Sp- Brasil., Divisao De Enfermagem, São Paulo, Brazil"
      ],
      "name": "FM Satake"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Instituto Central- Hospital Das Clinicas Hcfmusp- Faculdade De Medicina- Universidade De Sao Paulo- Sao Paulo- Sp- Brasil., Information Technology, São Paulo, Brazil"
      ],
      "name": "MLMS Escamez"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Hospital Das Clinicas Hcfmusp- Faculdade De Medicina- Universidade De Sao Paulo- Sao Paulo- Sp- Brasil., Information Technology, São Paulo, Brazil"
      ],
      "name": "LT Pereira"
    }
  ],
  "title": "2SPD-024 Implementation of personal digital assistants in the medication dispensing and return processes",
  "uid": "f8b41bab-fec1-5b4b-8d4b-086536a2b032"
}