Table 4 Perceived Challenges in the Management of PODs
From: Reuse of patients’ own drugs in hospitals in Ghana; the evidence to support policy
Variables | Strongly agree N (%) | Agree N (%) | Uncertain N (%) | Disagree N (%) | Strongly disagree N (%) | MEDIAN (IQR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patient having different brands of the same medicines | 62 (51) | 37 (31) | 4 (3) | 17 (14) | – | 1 (1.00) |
Inadequate time for PODs assessment at the ward | 21 (17) | 57 (47) | 19 (16) | 19 (16) | 5 | 2 (1.00) |
Lack of POD Policy in the hospital | 28 (23) | 54 (45) | 33 (27) | 6 (5) | – | 2 (1.00) |
Inadequate skills for staff for the assessment of PODs in in-patients | 10 (8) | 45 (37) | 10 (8) | 32 (26) | 24 (20) | 3 (2.00) |
It must be a shared responsibility amongst the pharmacy staff | 41 (34) | 58 (48) | 12 (10) | 10 (8) | – | 2 (1.00) |
Patients feel they should always be given new medicines | 19 (16) | 50 (41) | 21 (17) | 30 (25) | – | 2 (2.00) |
Illegible instructions on label | 44 (36) | 50 (41) | 20 (17) | 7 (6) | – | 2 (1.00) |
Difficulty in examining the expiry dates of PODs without original packages. | 44 (36) | 57 (47) | 8 (7) | 12 (10) | – | 2 (1.00) |
Inadequate staff to assess PODs of all in-patients | 40 (33) | 36 (30) | 20 (17) | 25 (21) | – | 2 (2.00) |
The illiteracy level of in-patients/carers | 43 (36) | 32 (26) | 25 (21) | 17 (14) | 4 | 2 (2.00) |
Inadequate education/ counselling to patients to bring their PODs when coming to the hospital | 45 (37) | 53 (44) | 11 (9) | 12 (10) | – | 2 (1.00) |