INNOVATION
fact that you can see the inside of the robot from the window has definitely brought a frisson of excitement to our patients and added a ‘fun’ element to what is otherwise a daily task. Even our older patients think it’s brilliant!
‘Anything that any patient wants to order on an OTC basis is available from the robot as long as it fits into a robot-size box. Anything that doesn’t fit – for example wheelchairs or walking sticks – is available on a next- day delivery basis. Despite the fact that we have removed all OTC items from view in the pharmacy, ironically we will eventually actually increase our retail offering.’
For those patients looking to have a prescription filled, the process is equally simple. The prescription is handed in to the dedicated prescription reception, which is always manned by two members of staff, who key the detail into the robot. The medication is then dispensed and checked in the normal way.
‘There’s no doubt,’ Bernadette continues, ‘that the staff are much more front – and patient – facing now, leaving one pharmacist
totally dedicated to overseeing the dispensing facility. This new system has totally transformed everything because it has taken over all of the duties and responsibilities, which were previously supervised by staff – such as stocking, prescribing etc. The robot is so accurate that the pharmacist simply scans the prescription in and then carries out a clinical check. The senior dispenser checks prescriptions, including weekly dispensing and, since the robot is already filled up, the task is much less onerous.’
The time that has been freed up with the introduction of a second robot is certainly being put to good use.
In addition to the pain clinics and medication review clinics that she has been running for some time now, Bernadette has also employed two NHS nurses to assist her with clinics; one for respiratory conditions and one for common clinical conditions.
‘I’ve felt for some time now that there is a real need for pharmacists to upskill to direct referral to the GP,’ Bernadette says. ‘When it comes to conditions such as respiratory problems, pharmacists really need to ‘bridge the
gap’ that currently exists.
‘My respiratory nurse, Margaret, for example, majors in COPD and asthma and so she now assesses a patient’s condition and I, as an independent prescriber, write the prescription. We’re clearly showing how upskilling in community pharmacy can be of benefit to both primary care in general and to patients in particular!
‘I am so proud of how this collaboration is enhancing what we can offer patients from our Pharmacy Health Centre. Our enhanced common clinical conditions clinic will hopefully encourage the public to use the pharmacy first. As prescribers, we can assess patients, advise and/or treat appropriately, working with local GP practices, referring when necessary for further care. This is intended to improve access to healthcare and could reduce pressures on our GPs, out-of hours-services and A&E.
‘Feedback from the public has been excellent as regards our dispensing format, our retail offering and our increased range of services. The investment that we’ve made in the second robot, the treatment rooms
AUTOMATION WITH
FLEXIBILITY!
Are you looking for maximum automation combined with optimum flexibility? Customised to your specific requirements, the Rowa Vmax® could be the answer.
The Rowa Vmax systems are available in four different widths. The height and length of the systems are also variable. The different footprints allow flexible placement in the pharmacy. Each system is individually configured, specifically for you. Add-ons such as refrigerated units and automatic input are also available, and allow you to define the degree of automation of your system.
Save space in your pharmacy, serve more customers and spend more time on consultation rather than manual stock management.
Placing technology at the centre of enhanced patient care
If community pharmacists want to glimpse into the future of the sector, they need look no further than Cadham Pharmacy Health Centre. State-of-the-art and super-efficient, its design centres around two dispensing robots, brought in to streamline the dispensing process, thereby maximising the time pharmacists can spend on offering additional services to patients. To accommodate both robots, the bold decision was made to remove the pharmacy’s retail area and instead offer OTC products through digital, touch-screen inventories and automated order fulfilment.
The new dispensing format and the lack of a ‘front of shop’ made choosing the right pharmacy IT systems all the more crucial.
Pharmacy owner Bernadette Brown implemented a number of key solutions from the Positive Solutions range. This included implementing Analyst IPS – the industry’s only fully integrated pharmacy system, combining PMR and EPoS technology to provide pharmacists with a complete overview of their pharmacy performance and individual patient requirements. To ensure a seamless connection between Analyst IPS and the two on site robots, Analyst Automation software was also deployed, while Positive Solutions’ wholesaler agnostic OrderManager software now enables the team at Cadham to reduce the time and costs associated with the ordering process and place greater focus on delivering an unrivalled patient experience.
Through the innovative use of technology Cadham Pharmacy Health Centre has made great strides in enhancing the patient experience.
Find out how technology can enhance your pharmacy tel: 01257 235 910
email:
solutions@positive-solutions.co.uk
web:
www.positive-solutions.co.uk
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