Objective: To explore the national survey of hospital medication safety during mass gathering (Hajj -2016) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia: Drug Information, the finding of ISMP (2011) self-assessment of medication safety at the hospitals. Methods: It is 15 days cross-sectional national survey of hospital medication safety at Makkah region. The survey modified from Institution of Safe Medication Practice (ISMP) self-assessment of hospital medication safety. It consisted of a demographic section and ten domains with 270 questions. The ten areas included patient information, drug information, communication of medication orders, drug preparation, medication distribution, medication devices, work environment, staff competency, patient education, quality process with risk management domain. The 5-points Likert response scale system used. The survey distributed to sixteen directors of hospital pharmacy during mass gathering Hajj-2016. The medications safety officer at Makkah region distributed the questionnaire and made follow up on a daily basis used physical visiting and through the telephone call. Results: The score of total score of all ISMP-self assessment of medication safety was 3.39 +/-0.51 (67.68 %) with CI (3.2-3.6) P< 0.05. The average of drug information domain at all hospital were 2.91+/- 0.54 (58 %) with CI (2.72-3.10), P< 0.05. The score of essential drug information was 2.84 (56.8%), and the core of the controlled formulary system was 3.09 (61.8%). The highest score of drug information key element was high-alert drugs used within the organization identified, error-reduction strategies established 4.18 (83.6%), and non-formulary products used only when therapeutically necessary and appropriate 3.55 (71%). The lowest score of essential drug information core was computerized physician order entry (CPOE) with explanation upon overriding a serious alert was 2 (40%), and standards of practice for the appropriate medication use of postoperative was 2.09 (41.8%). Conclusion: The drug information resources, protocol, guidelines missed at the hospital during mass gathering Hajj period. The updated CPOE with impeded updated drug information resources with alerting system highly recommended. The mandated drug information prevents any drug related problems and avoids unnecessary cost burden on health care system.
Key words: Medication Safety, Hajj, Drug, Information, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.