'Get it on Time' Parkinson's Medication QIP

Introduction

Parkinson’s medications are time critical and delays of over 30 minutes can increase the risk of harm to patients. Complications range from physical deconditioning, with associated risk of prolonged hospital stay or aspiration pneumonia to neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Inspired by Parkinson’s UK ‘Get it on Time’ campaign, we sought to improve administration of Parkinson’s medications to within 30 minutes of prescription time in at least 80% of patients at York Hospital.  

Method

Parkinson’s patients on medical wards in York Hospital were continuously audited across May, June and July 2025. In May and June we installed ‘get in on time’ clocks at the bedside. Whereas in July we focused on a separate intervention of Parkinson’s medication information stickers for our drug trolleys. Pre and post-intervention auditing of administration times took place for both.   

Results

In May 2025, across 24 patients, administration within 30 minutes of prescribed time improved from 78% to 88% post-clock installation. Delays of over 60 minutes reduced from 10% to 2%. 

In June 2025, across 17 patients, administration within 30 minutes of prescribed time improved from 77% to 86% post-clock installation. Delays of over 60 minutes reduced from 12% to 4%.  Delays of over 60 minutes reduced from 12% to 4%. 

In July 2025, across 15 patients, administration within 30 minutes improved from 76% to 84.5% following implementation of information stickers, with delays of over 60 mins reducing from 12% to 1.9%.  

Conclusion

Improvements in administration of time critical medications followed both interventions, with greater relative reductions seen in severe delays. Our audit suggests that ‘get it on time’ clocks and information stickers on drug trolleys are both simple, low-cost and effective individual strategies to reduce medication delays in Parkinsons patients, with potential to reduce harm in this patient population.