tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865768815327716731.post1020489217441649770..comments2024-03-01T00:44:55.120-05:00Comments on The Lean Insider: Does a Hospital Really Need a Pharmacy Robot?Michael Sinocchihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599950068521490710noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865768815327716731.post-25527225893049349572008-08-07T16:13:00.000-04:002008-08-07T16:13:00.000-04:00Mr. Bernstein,I apologize for the delay in respond...Mr. Bernstein,<BR/>I apologize for the delay in responding to your posting in May 2008 regarding the installation of the SwissLog Robotic System at Loyola University Medical Center;however, I was just recently made aware of the article.<BR/><BR/>In response to your comments, I agree that the installation of automation without a comprehensive review of the medication distribution system with an analysis of potential failures would be short-sighted. <BR/><BR/>The news release focused on the intial step in the implementation of a long term strategic plan to enhance the medication distribution system at Loyola and enhance patient safety by reducing (not eliminating) medication errors.<BR/><BR/>The introduction of human error will always be present in any system; however, with the automation plan being implemented at Loyola, we hope to minimize these errors.<BR/><BR/>The SwissLog Robotic System will provide the Pharmacy Service with a process to repackage all medication with a 2-dimensional bar code, which will provide the foundation for the integration of Cardinal Health System's Pyxis 3500Medstation. By integration, I mean that the replenishment of all the Pyxis units will be provided by the SwissLog Robotic System utilizing an enhanced ParX process. This process is enhanced by embedding the specific Pyxis cabinet information into a barcode on the medication ring , allowing a pharmacy technician to scan the ring and the specific drawer in the Pyxis unit prior to replenishment(this will be a first in the nation utilizing this process). It is hoped that this process will eliminate the type of errors that occurred in Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis,IN and at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles.<BR/><BR/>With the successful implementation of the SwissLog Robotic System and the installation of Pyxis 3500 Medstation in all patient care and procedure units by late fall,2008our next phase involves the implementation of the EPIC Bedside Point of Care (BPOC)system. This system will allow for the use of multiple bar code systems (i.e. medication, patient ID band, and nurse ID Badge) to ensure that the right medication in the right dosage form is administered to the right patient at the right time.<BR/><BR/>Ongoing evaluation and enhancements to the implementation of automation at Loyola will be required to ensure that the investment in capital and additonal expense will result in documented reduction in medication errors and enhanced patient safety. <BR/>I hope this helps provide additional background information regarding the implementation of automation at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, IL. <BR/>If you should have any additonal questions, please contact me.<BR/><BR/>Thank you.<BR/><BR/>Richard H. Ricker<BR/>Administrative Director of Pharmacy Services<BR/>Loyola University Medical Center<BR/>Maywood, IL 60153<BR/><BR/>It is hoped that by the rAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com