Impact of Automated Dispensing Technology on Medication Safety and Costs at an Inpatient Pharmacy

Abstract

Specific Aims: To compare two groups of automated dispensing technology and their impact on medication safety and costs at an inpatient pharmacy. Methods: A total of 784 medications were audited for Pyxis refill errors, 352 prior to and 432 post implementation of Boxpicker and the ATP High Speed Tablet Packager. Data were collected by obtaining refill reports for automated dispensing. Every other medication on the refill report was audited for errors in the corresponding location of the automated dispensing cabinet. The rate of reported errors was obtained from a self-reported error program, Patient Safety Net (PSN). Analysis related to costs included automated dispensing cabinet related inventory and costs associated with bulk repackaging. All data associated with costs were obtained from pharmacy financial records. Main Results: There was no significant difference in the Pyxis refill error rate between Pyxis PARx and Boxpicker (0.00284% versus 0.00231%, respectively, p =0.88). The total number of automated dispensing cabinet problems reported through Patient Safety Net transiently increased during and after implementation of new automated technology. Value of pharmacy inventory costs associated with automation was $674,460 prior to and $594,789 post implementation of technology. Bulk repackaging with the ATP High Speed Automatic Tablet Packager resulted in an estimated cost savings of $203,400 annually. Conclusion: Implementation of Boxpicker and ATP High Speed Tablet Packager resulted in no significant change in Pyxis refill error rates, a transient increase in reported automated dispensing cabinet problems, a decrease in inventory costs, and savings associated with bulk repackaging.