Automation in Pharmacy

1. Automation in Pharmacy Lobna Al Juffali,Msc

2. Introduction Automation any technology , machine or device linked to or controlled by a computer and used to do work Automation is designed to streamline and improve the accuracy and efficiencey of the medication use process

3. Introduction As the profession has accepted increased responsibility for improving patient outcomes through implementation of pharmacists patient care services , automation has been relied upon to free the pharmacist from technical tasks

4. Introduction Use of these automated medication management systems have been shown to reduce medication errors by between 26% and 81% depending on the setting in which the machines are used. (These high rates of error reduction are achieved when medication orders are reviewed and profiled by pharmacists prior to administration).

5. Goals for the use of automation Reducing costs Improving operating efficiencies Growing revenues Enhancing safety and quality Integrating and managing data Providing outstanding customer service

6. Factors that led to Automation Shortages of qualified pharmacists and technicians Shrinking operating budgets

7. Automation Advantages: Improve efficiency( Reduce pharmacy staff and work load) Improve accuracy, reduce errors Improve documentation Authorized access only, enhance security Reduce job stress and staff turnover Shorten med pass time for nurses/ caregivers Disadvantages: Additional training and technical help Downtime, system failure and inflexibility Cost and space issues

8. Medication use process Consists of five domains: Purchasing/ inventory management Prescribing/medication determination Medication preperation, dispensing, and counseling Medication administration Patient monitoring /assessment

9. Technologies And Automated Devices Applied Throughout The Medication �Use Process Prescribing Clinical descion support soft ware Computerized prescriber order entry Dispensing Centrilized robotic dispensing technology Centralized narcotic dispensing and inventory tracking devices Decentrilized automated dispensing devices Unit dose medication repacking systems Administration Bar code medication administration technology Monitoring Electronic clinical documentation systems

10. Unit Dose System First used in hospitals in 1960�s Used to decrease medication administration errors by nursing staff, and reduce medication waste Standard of practice in hospital setting today Used in some skilled nursing facilities

11. Unit dose Medication that is dispensed in a package that is ready to administer, directly, to the patient.Medication/Products currently being unit dose packaged and bar coded: 1.Solid dose pouches 2.Power fill pouches 3.Strip packs 4.Oral dose syringe fill 5.Sterile Injectable syringe fill 6.Liquid unit dose