Closed-Loop Medication Safety In Saudi Moh Hospitals: A Technical Architecture Linking Pharmacy Technicians, Health Assistants, Nursing Specialists, Nursing Technicians, Medical Secretary Technicians, And Health Management Specialists—A Scoping Review

Abstract

Medication errors remain a significant threat to patient safety in healthcare systems worldwide, including Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health hospitals. Closed-loop medication management systems integrate health information technologies across the medication use process, connecting prescribing, dispensing, administration, and monitoring phases through computerized physician order entry, barcode medication administration, electronic medication administration records, automated dispensing cabinets, and smart infusion pumps. This scoping review examines the technical architecture of closed-loop medication safety systems within Saudi Ministry of Health hospitals, emphasizing the interprofessional contributions of pharmacy technicians, health assistants, nursing specialists, nursing technicians, medical secretary technicians, and health management specialists. A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed literature was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Results demonstrate that closed-loop systems significantly reduce medication errors when implemented with adequate training, workflow integration, and interprofessional collaboration. Pharmacy technicians play critical roles in medication preparation and barcode verification, while nursing professionals ensure accurate administration and real-time documentation. Health assistants support medication logistics, and health management specialists oversee system implementation and quality monitoring. Barriers to successful implementation in Saudi hospitals include technological infrastructure limitations, resistance to workflow changes, and insufficient training programs. Recommendations include standardized training protocols, enhanced interprofessional communication frameworks, and context-specific adaptation of closed-loop technologies to Saudi healthcare settings.