Monitoreo de condiciones ambientales en el almacenamiento de medicamentos en el Hospital General Machala, durante el periodo marzo – mayo 2025.

Abstract

Introduction: Proper storage of medicines is crucial to ensure their efficacy and therapeutic safety. In the hospital setting, environmental factors such as temperature, relative humidity, and cold chain temperature can alter the physical and chemical properties of medications. At Machala General Hospital, it was unknown whether storage conditions in inpatient areas complied with the parameters established by the Pharmaceutical Management Manual and Good Storage Practices (GSP), which motivated the present investigation. Objective: To evaluate environmental conditions during medication storage in the hospitalization areas of Machala General Hospital (IESS), by reviewing ambient temperature, ambient relative humidity, and cold chain temperature, to analyze their impact on the deterioration of the physical characteristics of medications. Materials and methods: A non-experimental, descriptive research design with a mixed approach was used, applying direct observation and environmental measurement techniques using thermohygrometers and manual records. The sample included randomly selected medicines in critical areas such as the Isolation ICU and Surgical Hospitalization. The data were organized in Excel and statistically analyzed in Jamovi to compare the recorded conditions with the parameters established by the Pharmaceutical Management Manual and Good Storage Practices (GSP). Results: The results indicated that, in general, temperature and humidity conditions remained within the ranges established by Good Storage Practices (GSP), with no evidence of significant deterioration in the physical characteristics of the medications evaluated, demonstrating adequate environmental management that contributes to preserving the efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical products. Conclusions: Between March and May 2025, environmental conditions in the hospitalization areas of Machala General Hospital were monitored, showing that they generally remained within the recommended ranges for proper medication storage. Although some specific temperature fluctuations were detected, especially in surgical areas, these did not exceed critical limits. The Surgical Intensive Care Unit showed greater environmental stability compared to the Surgical Hospitalization area, highlighting the need to strengthen controls in the latter to ensure pharmacological quality.