The automated list has removed the usually handwritten documents that are either hand delivered or sent via a pneumatic chute to the dispensary.
Objectives:
• Free up bottlenecks of workload
• Enable a steady flow of workload
• Free the pneumatic chute for urgent receipts and deliveries of medicines
• Utilise efficiencies associated with electronic prescribing system
Benefits:
• Clear & legible documentation
• No transcription errors
• Complete and accurate information
• Reduction of workflow bottlenecks
• Free up pneumatic chute
• Print orders hourly (currently)
From a quick audit: All dispensing pharmacy technicians felt the automated dispensing sheet has greater legibility and clarity of information compared to the handwritten pharmacy order sheets that are in use.
85% of the technicians surveyed preferred to dispense from automated order sheets whilst the remaining 15% has no preference either way.
All pharmacists surveyed felt the automated dispensing process was easy to use and had reduced the time taken to order non urgent items.
All pharmacists preferred to use the automated system compared to the standard handwritten order sheets.
Following the original implementation, updates to the document were made to identify "critical medicines", those highlighted as such by the NPSA and also locally managed medications. This has had good update as teams are able to prioritise accordingly.