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Background: Drug management is a crucial part of hospital care with a direct impact on patient safety. Studies at Uppsala University Hospital show that nurses spend approximately 40% of their work hours on this task. Frequent unavailability of medication adds to stress and increases time spent searching. The use of unit dose dispensing (UDD) is intended as a method to reduce nurses’ workload and enhance patient safety.

Aim: This study aims to collect, collate, and analyze the expectations, needs, and concerns of nurses and ward pharmacists regarding the implementation of UDD at Uppsala University Hospital.

Methods: A mixed method was applied collecting both quantitative and qualitative data using a survey during autumn 2025. Thematic analysis was applied inductively to qualitative data, identifying key themes derived from the participants answers. 

Results: In total, 58 nurses and 7 ward pharmacists were included in the study. Participants expressed a generally positive attitude towards the implementation of UDD at the hospital. A majority believed that UDD would decrease time spent on drug management. Three main themes were identified: problems in current drug management, facilitators for UDD, and barriers to UDD. 

Conclusion: UDD was perceived as most effective on wards or units where patients had steady medication regimens. UDD also showed potential to alleviate the workload from nurses. Further pilot studies are needed to determine the practicality of UDD across the hospital’s wards. As requested by participants, research incorporating perspectives of physicians and clinical pharmacists are important for a more thorough evaluation of this project.