RISK MANAGEMENT IN HOSPITAL PHARMACY SERVICES: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Background: Hospital pharmacy services play a critical role in supporting patient safety and therapeutic outcomes. The complexity of medication processes and the high potential for medication errors, particularly involving high-alert medications, necessitate an integrated risk management system and measurable performance indicators. Objective: This study aims to identify and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs), particularly clinical pharmacy KPIs (cpKPIs), and to evaluate risk management strategies in hospital pharmaceutical services. Methods: This research is a systematic literature review employing content analysis on scientific publications from the past decade. Data were retrieved from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and LILACS, focusing on performance indicators, patient safety, and high-risk medication management. Results: The findings indicate that cpKPIs, including medication reconciliation, patient education, error reporting, and internal audits, are critical components in enhancing the efficiency and safety of pharmacy services. Medication-related risks are mainly attributed to therapeutic complexity, procedural non-compliance, and inadequate staff training. Effective strategies include barcode validation, SOP reinforcement, and pharmacist involvement in therapeutic decisions. Conclusion: The implementation of standardized KPIs and risk management systems significantly improves the quality of hospital pharmacy services. Institutional commitment and technological integration are essential for the successful application of these strategies.