Pharmacy Automation and Workflow Implications: A Case Study

Abstract

Background: Inpatient pharmacy automation is becoming an increasingly important component of the medication distribution process across the country. The use of pharmacy automation is perceived as a tool for increasing patient safety and pharmacy department efficiency. Adjusting pharmacy workflow requirements and staffing redefinitions is essential when implementing pharmacy automation. Objective: To evaluate the results of an acute care, community, teaching hospital's experience as the inpatient pharmacy implements a robot, medication carousel, and barcode packager, and shifts its medication distribution model from a cartless to cart fill method. Summary: Data on robot efficiency, changing pharmacy technician roles, and pharmacist time were collected over 2 years. The medication distribution process and pharmacy technician roles had to be adjusted multiple times to increase workflow efficiency. The initial shift to a cart fill distribution model, with first doses dispensed from the robot, resulted in robot efficiency of approximately 71%. When the distribution model was shifted to hybrid cart fill and cartless model, with first doses dispensed from automated dispensing cabinets, the robot efficiency improved to between 85% and 90%. Conclusions: Pharmacy automation requires proper workflow adjustments to realize the potential increased efficiency of this technology. Additionally, optimizing the medication distribution model to maximize the efficiency of staffing workflow has a significant impact on automation efficiency.