Objectives The return of non-administered drugs represents a significant challenge in hospital pharmacy management, contributing to increased workload, financial loss, and safety risks. This study aimed to quantify the extent of medication returns at Liège University Hospital (CHU Liège), Belgium, identify key contributing factors, and explore potential improvements within a highly digitalised hospital environment.
Methods A case study was conducted using data extracted from the hospital’s robotic dispensing systems. Return rates for individually prepared doses were analysed for a period of six months. Variability was assessed according to several parameters, including care units, drug types, the time interval between dose preparation and administration, prescription stability, and patient movements (transfers or discharges).
Results During a six-month study period, a return rate of 13.4% was observed for individually prepared doses. Considerable variability emerged across care units and medication categories. Key determinants of returns included early preparation relative to administration times and medical rounds, frequent modifications to injectable prescriptions, and patient transfers or discharges. These findings enabled the identification of several operational measures within the hospital pharmacy aimed at reducing drug returns. This study highlights significant opportunities for improvement, including the discontinuation of early-day (“D0”) dose preparation and the adaptation of drug distribution models to the specific characteristics and needs of each individual care unit.
Conclusion The present work underscores the value of digital tools and data-driven approaches to enhance efficiency and safety in hospital settings. It also highlights the limitations of current medication distribution systems and identifies improvement initiatives in hospital practice.