The Invention of A Semi-Automatic Pill Sorting Device for Re-using Pills in the Hospital Pharmacy

Abstract

Automatic tablet dispensing & packing system (ATDPS) is becoming essential in the drug management field of the hospital pharmacy and the local pharmacy. The ATDPS device automatically sorts, distributes, and packages in connection with the order communication system (OCS) or electronic medical record (EMR). In the process of using the ATDPS, some pre-packaged drugs cannot be applied to the patient. Such drugs are re-used after disassembling the packaging. However, many problems such as drug contamination, breakage, and mixing with other drugs can arise during the drug re-using process. Therefore, automation is urgently required in the drug re-using process. Automatic sorting device has not yet been introduced to the domestic pharmacy. The aim of this study was to develop a semi-automatic pills sorting device (SPSD) for the purpose of cost-saving, enhancing operation efficiency, and reducing medication errors. The proposed SPSD is affordable and efficient with potential for use in the pharmacy to help drug management. [Key words] Hospital pharmacy, Discrimination, Automatic device, Pills 의료기관 조제실의 정제 재사용을 위한 반자동 정제분류기 개발에 대한 연구 천영주, 김정태, 임성실 가톨릭대학교 약학대학 임상약학 연구실, 강동경희대학교병원 약제부 The Invention of A Semi-Automatic Pill Sorting Device for Re-using Pills in the Hospital Pharmacy Young Ju Cheon, Jung Tae Kim, and Sung Cil Lim The Catholic University of Korea, College of Pharmacy, 43, Jibong-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, 14662, Korea, Department of Pharmacy, Kyunghee University Hospital at Gang-dong, 892, Dongnamro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 05278, Korea 투고일자 2016.6.2; 심사완료일자 2016.6.23; 게재확정일자 2016.6.30 �교신저자 임성실 Tel:02-2164-6595 E-mail:lim5@catholic.ac.kr Original Article