Hospital pharmacy implementation of a unit dose dispensing system: A qualitative interview study to determine experiences, views and attitudes of nursing staff.

Background: Evolving automated technologies in the dispensing process promise effective solution to reduce medication error rates. The Unit-Dose-Dispensing-System (UDDS) is an essential element of the "Closed Loop Medication Management System" that enables the tracking of single medication items across the entire medication workflow thereby improving transparency, patient safety and healthcare efficiency".

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine hospital nurses' attitudes towards the unit dose dispensing system implemented by the hospital pharmacy department, examine their perceptions of opportunities and barriers in everyday practice and explore their experiences with its implementation.