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Project Proposal Topic: • The topic I wish to research is the use of automated medication dispensing systems, such as the McKesson ROBOT-Rx, within healthcare settings. These automated systems utilize bar code technology to effectively store and dispense medication in patient-labeled envelopes for delivery. The ultimate goal of these systems is for safe medication management. In addition to researching more in depth how the system works, I wish to research as well how these dispensing systems have actually affected hospitals where they have been implemented, such as if they have affected safety and/or efficiency. I also hope to find evidence on the reactions and opinions of those healthcare workers and hospitals using the system. In general I would like to assess if this technology is worth placing into healthcare facilities.
Automated Dispensing Medication Systems: Overview • Store, dispense every form of medication using barcode technology • Receives order, ‘eye’ scans barcode, robotic arm retrieves med • Each dose packaged, labeled with standardized barcode containing drug code and expiration date • Project will attempt to assess (I) potential benefits; (II) current evidence whether supportive or contradictory Ex: The McKesson ROBOT-Rx
I. Benefits Overview: • (1) Increase safety • Standardized barcode system • Decreases med errors • Additional safeguard: pharmacist checks 10% dispensed meds • (2) Increase efficiency/productivity • Automate manual tasks • Leads to increased patient care time • (3) Increase inventory control • Decreases inventory costs • Eliminates stock outages Barcode packaging from ROBOT-Rx
II. Evidence: Preliminary Preview of Promising Current Evidence • Nash General Hospital (Rocky Mount, NC) • Pharmacy utilizes McKesson ROBOT-Rx, named MACK • Reduced pharmacy checking labor by 90% • Lowered expired medication costs by 54% • No elimination of jobs, employees may focus in other areas • Evergreen Hospital Medical Center (Kirkland, WA) • Uses McKesson ROBOT-Rx • Cart fill labor decreased 72% • $2 million in annual savings • Aided narcotics management • Decreased crediting labor 50% Sources: http://www.slideshare.net/PROmanager/nursing-pharmacy-benefit-from-robotrx-medication-dispensing-solution http://www.nhcs.org/press_releases/articletype/articleview/articleid/136 https://archive.org/details/Robot-rxAutomatedMedicationDispensingSystemVideoOverview-Mckessonhttp://drugtopics.modernmedicine.com/drug-topics/news/clinical/hospitalhealth-system-pharmacy/automated-dispensing-robots-tapped-improve-?id=&sk=&date=&pageID=2