Pharmacy Technology and Automation PDF

Pharmacy Technology and Automation By Department of Clinical Practice Pharmacy Technology and Automation Pharmacy technology brings automation to the pharmacy that supports administrative tasks and allows pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to provide care at the top of the...

Pharmacy Technology and Automation By Department of Clinical Practice Pharmacy Technology and Automation Pharmacy technology brings automation to the pharmacy that supports administrative tasks and allows pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to provide care at the top of the education and training, complimenting physician care plans as a team.  Pharmacy Technology and Automation It is the process of using technology to improve how you securely store, dispense, manage, and reorder medications and report all related activity to simplify the entire medication management process. Today’s advanced automation systems far surpass their predecessors, offering a remarkable combination of accuracy and seamless integration into day-to-day operations, ultimately leading to enhanced inventory management, money- and labor- savings, and better pharmacy-patient interaction and counsel.  Pharmacy automation is the electronic process of distributing, sorting, packaging, and counting prescription medications. Pharmacy automation has many different purposes, including improving efficiency, minimizing labor costs, and improving accuracy. Pharmacy automation technology can help improve medication accuracy and reduce these risks. A counting device, for example, can safeguard against prescription filling errors. A simple counter can handle counting to eliminate quantity errors and enable the staff to perform inventory checks more frequently.  Pharmacy Technology and Automation They improve safety and patient care by reducing workload and medication errors Improve efficiency Improve documentation of care Freeing pharmacists for pharmaceutical care  Information technology Less paper work Faster access to information Increased speed in processing information Tools for pharmaceutical care E-prescribing Computerized prescriber order entry (for inpatient)  Benefits of automation in pharmacy Improved speed Improved accuracy Improved documentation Improved efficiency Ability to analyze, compare and provide new information  Challenges of pharmacy automation Cost Space Fear of pharmacists of being replaced by robots One error can become many errors  Types of pharmacy automation Tablet counter IV compounder Dispensing machines (Unit dose) – repackaging medications from bulk or – Using over packaged, manufacturer-wrapped unit of use  Benefits of Pharmacy Automation The role of automation is to make a repetitive process work on its own so that you reduce or minimize human input and free up time and resources. Early automation systems were designed for large health systems and filling centers, taking up a substantial amount of square feet. However, a new generation of technology is affordable, compact, and now more accessible for community or specialty pharmacies. The right system helps improve security, optimizes inventory, reduces errors, and speeds up dispensing processes. 1. Improves Accuracy to Ensure Medication Is Correct Medication errors have historically caused severe problems for pharmacists and pharmacy owners. In the United States alone, 7,000 to 9,000 people die annually because of a prescribing or dispensing error. Thousands of additional patients also experience medication complications or other side effects but don’t report these problems. A simple counter can handle counting to eliminate quantity errors and enable the staff to perform inventory checks more frequently. For example, the Kirby Lester KL1 counts almost any tablet or capsule quickly, conveniently, and accurately. It is ideal for narcotics management and physical inventory counting and superior to manual counting. Devices with scan-verification software, such as the Kirby Lester KL1Plus, take counting a huge step further. This small device forces a medication check on each count, matching medication dispensed to the medication prescribed and checking strength, quantity, and dose. Plus, it can force a double count of controlled substances. 2. Speeds Up Processes for Pharmacy Staff and Patients Robotic pharmacy dispensing machines, for example, can automate well above 50% of a community pharmacy’s daily prescriptions and dispense, label, count, and present medications within a few seconds of ordering. A scan-verification process also runs checks and balances, alerting you to drug mismatches and recording every fill in seconds. If discrepancies occur, you can quickly review your records and verify how the prescription was filled and where the error occurred. 3. Optimizes Inventory Management and Reduces Overstocking Automation systems are a viable solution for inventory management and compliance. Counting devices, software packages, and automatic dispensers track output quantities and automatically update inventory, reducing stock redundancies and unnecessary reordering. Electronic logs also replace manual records and sync with your pharmacy software, helping you run smoother reconciliations and maintain tighter control of narcotics and other sensitive or expensive drugs. 4. Frees Up Floor and Storage Space Most pharmacies allow for substantial space to house medications and supplies. Automated medication storage and retrieval systems with dispensing robots can free up floor and storage space. Depending on the technology, these storage systems hold, track, and dispense anywhere from 50 to 90% of your pharmacy stock. For example, RoboPharma’s high-density robotic dispensing units and software can hold nearly all of a pharmacy’s medications in one place and deliver pre-packaged medications in seconds. RoboPharma robotics are ideal for environments filling a majority of medications in unit-dose or blister packs. 5. Reduces Labor Costs & Builds Business Automation software is especially useful during peak times of the day or week or when you’re short-staffed. The devices can also pick up some of the routine work and allow staff to focus on more complex tasks that require more effort or strategic expertise. All these tasks must be completed within the pharmacy, but automation helps you execute them without spending extra on overtime pay or hiring more employees. When pharmacists and technicians can take on more patient care and profit-generating work like consultations, patient education, or immunizations, the staff is more productive, lowering your operation costs and improving your revenue and profit margins. 6. Improves Patient Care Through Better Engagement Automated technologies allow pharmacies to shift time and resources from administrative work to patient care. With less time spent on redundant tasks, pharmacy staff have more time to engage with patients, answer questions, and educate patients on health and wellness. Innovative technologies such as automated prescription kiosks also allow to offer precision care around the clock. Place filled prescriptions in a secure carousel, and patients can retrieve their medications when it’s convenient. You not only improve patient care with a faster, streamlined pick-up experience, but you also improve time savings for both you and your patient.  AI In pharmacy: AI could be used to help automate routine and traditionally manual tasks that might include ordering, verifying, dispensing, and even administering medications, for example. AI could also provide an elevated level of support for pharmacists and other clinicians across many aspects of medication therapy.