Nurses' Satisfaction with Inpatient Pharmacy Services: A Survey-Based Study

Abstract

Background: Nurses play a critical role in medication administration and patient care, making their satisfaction with inpatient pharmacy services a key factor in hospital efficiency. However, pharmacy service performance and its impact on nursing workflow remain underexplored in Saudi Arabian hospitals.

Objective: To assess nurses' satisfaction with inpatient pharmacy services and identify priority areas for improvement using Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA).

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 617 nurses across various hospital wards in Saudi Arabia. IPA was applied to categorize service strengths, areas for improvement, and educational opportunities.

Results: Timely medication orders, pharmacist availability, and STAT medication processing were rated low in performance but highly important, requiring immediate improvement. Moderately performing services, such as pharmacist helpfulness and drug-related communication, should be maintained and slightly optimized. Highly performing but underappreciated services, including drug information accuracy and pharmacist guidance on ambiguous prescriptions, indicate a need for better awareness and education.

Conclusion: The study highlights critical service gaps that may impact nursing workflow and patient care. Hospitals should prioritize pharmacist accessibility, improve medication response times, and enhance pharmacy-nursing collaboration. Educational initiatives may also help nurses recognize the value of existing pharmacy services. Addressing these gaps will lead to improved medication management, reduced nurse burden, and better patient outcomes.