Implementation and evaluation of an automated dispensing system

Implementation of automated dispensing cabinets for management of medical devices in an intensive care unit: organisational and financial impact

“…This improvement allowed nurses and head nurses to concentrate on their core business. Although we did not conduct a satisfaction survey, feedback from the head nurse, nursing auxiliaries and pharmacy technicians was positive, and consistent with previous reports 3 9…”

“…Less important savings were seen on initial stock value (about 29%) in the ICU of Broussais Hospital (France) 4. However, it is important to consider that most studies found that the major portion of savings generated by ADCs were in staff costs: US$1 000 000 saved over a 5-year period was reported in the USA,3 whereas a French cost–benefit study indicated an amount of €71 586 saved over a 5-year period 10. That point should be further investigated in our case.…”

“…For example, the medical centre of the University of California in San Francisco reported a reduction by 83% of the number of new medication orders after the implementation of automated supply cabinets (surgical unit), and a substantial reduction in the time spent by pharmacy technicians in preparing those orders 3. In addition to savings achieved by reducing the time spent in preparing orders, savings were also made on the time devoted to picking up medications when needed for a patient.…”

Effect of adding piperacillin–tazobactam to automated dispensing cabinets on promptness of first-dose antibiotics in hospitalized patients

“…Most previous studies of automated medication storage and distribution systems focused on their effects on medication error reduction, accuracy of reports, charge capture rate, and cost-effectiveness. [12][13][14][15][16] Other studies involved different interventions, including implementation of early goal-directed sepsis therapy in the ED, a quantitative resuscitation protocol, closed-loop order processing, computerized prescriber order entry (CPOE), a sepsis protocol, electronic order management, and remote order scanning. 1,2,[5][6][7][8][9][10][11]17 To our knowledge, there were few studies that examined the effects of implementation of ADC-style usage on time to medication administration.…”

How to avoid paediatric medication errors: a user's guide to the literature

“…40 At one academic medical centre where missing dose was defined as dose not available for the patient within 20 minutes of the scheduled time of administration, implementation of a full load drug dispensing system dropped the missed dose rate from 130 to 0.73 per 1000 patient-days.…”