Promotion


COVID-19: TECHNOLOGY STEPS UP TO THE PLATE


COVID-19 has presented pharmacies with many new challenges but, fortunately, technology has been able to step in and help…


‘T


he fact that I had installed the BD RowaTM


system in previous shops meant that I knew what to expect from


the system,’ Ron told SP, ‘but even I have been amazed at the way the robot has transformed work practices at Stepps Pharmacy.’


Since the pandemic first struck the United Kingdom at the beginning of last year, and as with every other community pharmacy in Scotland, Ron and his team had faced challenges never experienced before in this – or any other – profession.


As patient demand for prescriptions escalated, Stepps Pharmacy was faced with a workload that was unprecedented and the team was forced into making large-scale changes to the way in which they operated. Fortunately, the BD RowaTM


had just been installed and so Ron and his team were able to face the challenges head on.


‘I had used the BD RowaTM system in a previous


pharmacy and knew it was reliable, interfaced well with the PMR system and was user friendly. Even so, I have been completely taken aback at how much the system has transformed the way in which we work.


‘Despite the fact that we have experienced a 25- 30 per cent increase in dispensing, for example, we have managed to deal with this increase with the same number of staff as before. Despite the big increase in volume, the system has enabled us to continue our dispensing process in a


relaxed manner. Every member of the team would agree that there is a very nice atmosphere in work, with no stress.


‘The system has also improved our stockholding. In fact, we’ve managed to reduce our stock by about £10,000 over a six-month period. Thanks to the BD RowaTM


system, I’ve been able to run


the stock levels down to two days’ worth, which is great for the pharmacy cashflow. I’m able to run reports through the robot and any items that are in excess are highlighted. This enables me to manage stock levels more efficiently.


system


‘In addition to the benefits for dispensing and stockholding, the robot has also reduced the potential for any dispensing errors because of the barcode links. We’re no longer manually picking items off the shelf and, since nine out of ten errors occur when items are picked off the shelf, this has made the whole process much safer.


‘Overall, the BD RowaTM system has freed up both


my time and that of my team, enabling us to spend more time on patient-facing services that previously would have been taken up by dispensing.’


Ron has no doubts that the benefits created by the refit will be a great advantage in what is going to an uncertain future in the short term.


‘Our new premises are night and day compared to the old pharmacy. In addition to the fact that we have safer, more efficient dispensing processes, the patient journey has also improved since we


can now manage the workload in a much more efficient manner.


‘The fact that we have no waiting times or queues outside means that the process runs very smoothly and prescriptions are ready for patients coming in. We have lots more room for stock storage in the robot, allowing me to stock up on hard to get generic lines. I can also manage and date check all stock through running simple reports.


‘As a knock-on effect, staff have more time to spend with patients and deal with all the new referrals coming from the GP surgeries who are asking patients to utilise the pharmacy as their first port of call.


‘While many people may think of the robot as a major investment, I’ve worked it out that the system will cost us about £5 per hour over ten years. When you weigh that up against the fact that it would take 1.5 full-time employees to do what the robot does, it’s a major saving. Having said that, the benefits that the BD RowaTM


system


has brought to the pharmacy - and to the team – are rewards in themselves.’


For more information contact BD Rowa™ UK Email: Karen.McWilliam@bd.com Phone: 07876861754 www.rowa.de/en


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