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.

Project Proposal Topic:

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

Automated Dispensing Medication Systems: Overview

Ex: The McKesson ROBOT-Rx

(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

I. Benefits Overview:

Barcode packaging from ROBOT-Rx

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%

II. Evidence: Preliminary Preview of Promising Current Evidence

Sources:http://www.slideshare.net/PROmanager/nursing-pharmacy-benefit-from-robotrx-medication-dispensing-solutionhttp://www.nhcs.org/press_releases/articletype/articleview/articleid/136https://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

I thought that overall it was a really clear, concise and visually appealing presentation. There were some minor thing that I thought could be improved upon such as placement and quality of pictures. I thought the actual text was easy to understand and flowed well

Overall presentation grade: 9.7

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

Potential Benefits of Automated Dispensing Medication Systems

Barcode packaging from ROBOT-Rx