An Evaluation of the Drug-Distribution System at Brackenridge Hospital, Austin, Texas

The writer describes a hospital drug-distribution system based on the use of a physicians prescription and an individualized patient medication record maintained by the pharmacy. The pharmacist dispenses a three-day supply of medication in accordance with the physicians prescription. A pharmacy clerk then transcribes pertinent information to the patient medication record. The clerk also calculates a reorder date if more than a three-day supply of medication is required. The purpose of this system is to free the nurse from performing pharmaceutical duties.