Safer and More Controlled Drug Distribution with e-UDD in the Medinfras Hospital Information System (SIM-RS)
Implementing e-UDD (Electronic Unit Dose Dispensing) in Hospital Information Systems to Enhance Medication Safety and Efficiency
Pharmacy services are one of the most crucial components in hospital operations. Accuracy in medication administration not only affects service quality but also directly impacts patient safety. To improve the accuracy and efficiency of drug distribution, many hospitals have begun implementing Electronic Unit Dose Dispensing (e-UDD) integrated with the Hospital Information System (SIM-RS). This digitalization helps hospitals manage the drug dispensing process in a more systematic, controlled, and well-documented manner.
What Is e-UDD (Electronic Unit Dose Dispensing)?
Electronic Unit Dose Dispensing (e-UDD) is a hospital medication distribution system in which drugs are dispensed to patients in single-dose (unit dose) form, according to the doctor’s prescription for a specific time period—usually per dose or per day.
With the integration of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and online prescriptions in SIM-RS, the entire process—from prescription entry and pharmacy verification to medication distribution—can be performed digitally and monitored in real time.
e-UDD Feature Availability in SIM-RS Medinfras
Medinfras has been developing the e-UDD feature since 2016, continuously refining it in subsequent years. Once integrated with SIM-RS, the pharmaceutical workflow becomes more efficient and controlled. The implementation process of e-UDD in Medinfras includes the following stages:
- Online Prescription Entry by Doctors
Physicians input prescriptions directly through the Medinfras Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. The prescriptions are automatically transmitted to the pharmacy for verification. - Verification by Pharmacists
Pharmacists review incoming prescriptions, checking dosages, potential drug interactions, and treatment suitability for each patient. - Unit Dose Dispensing Process
Once verified, the pharmacy prepares medications in unit doses according to patient needs and the automatic administration schedule set by the doctor’s prescription. - Medication Distribution to the Ward
The packaged doses are delivered to wards or care units in accordance with the medication schedule. - Automatic Recording in Medinfras
Every step—from dispensing and distribution to medication administration—is recorded in the Medinfras system, enabling comprehensive monitoring and auditing.
Benefits of Implementing e-UDD in Hospitals
The adoption of Medinfras e-UDD brings several important benefits:
- Enhanced Patient Safety
The system minimizes medication errors such as wrong dosage, wrong patient, or incorrect timing. - Reduced Drug Waste
By dispensing medications in unit doses, the system ensures drugs are administered according to patient needs, significantly reducing waste. - Improved Pharmacy Operational Efficiency
The dispensing process becomes more structured and easier to monitor by the pharmacy team. - Accurate Monitoring of Drug Usage
Hospital management can monitor drug usage in real time through detailed reports generated by SIM-RS. - Supports Hospital Accreditation Standards
e-UDD implementation aligns with patient safety and medication management standards required in hospital accreditation processes.
Implementation Challenges
Despite its many advantages, e-UDD implementation also requires several preparations, including workflow adjustments in the pharmacy department and training programs for pharmacists and healthcare personnel.
For example, National Hospital Surabaya, one of Medinfras’s clients, successfully turned these challenges into achievements by winning the Healthcare Asia Awards 2019 – ICT Initiative of the Year for introducing the first Electronic Unit Daily Dose (e-UDD) barcode system for medication distribution.
Similarly, Dr. Lienliaty, MARS, Head of the Medical Support Division at RS Royal Taruma Jakarta, shared her experience using Medinfras:
“The hospital began implementing e-prescriptions and UDD for inpatients. Our pharmaceutical management has become more integrated, significantly improving pharmacy operations—from procurement and sales to inventory and use of consumable materials. Supported by a stock opname system, it also simplifies monitoring of drug and medical supply availability. Medinfras continues to enhance its system to further improve service quality.”
The implementation of e-UDD in Medinfras represents a strategic step toward improving medication safety, efficiency, and transparency in hospital drug management. This system not only supports healthcare professionals in performing their duties more effectively but also plays a vital role in enhancing patient safety.
As healthcare digitalization advances, the integration of pharmacy systems such as e-UDD has become an essential component in realizing modern, efficient, and patient-safety–oriented hospitals.
