Omnicell Medication Optimization in the Emergency department at Northwest Medical Center

Abstract

Specific Aims: To identify medications needing adjustment or removal from the Omnicell, and to assess if the adjustment made a difference in restocks. Methods: This project collected baseline usage data during a 60-day timeframe in Emergency Department (ED) Omnicell machines. Changes were made to the Periodic Automated Replacement (PAR) and Reorder (R/O) amount in the ED East and West Omnicell machines based on max used day, restocks, and number of stockouts. After implementation, a 45-day timeframe was used to assess the effects. Chi Square was used to compare the number of restocking events before and after interventions at ED West and East Omnicell machines with p<0.05 for significant results. Results: Of the 414 medications in the ED West Omnicell, 29 (7%) medications were adjusted. Of the 489 medications in the ED East Omnicell, 28 (5.3%) medications were adjusted. The average number of restocks per period changed from 10.86 times to 7.17 times in the ED West, and changed from 9.86 times to 5.57 times in ED East. The changes gave a significant reduction in the average number of restocks in the ED West with p=0.011, and ED East with p=0.0002. The number of stockouts did not change. Conclusions: Adjustments to PAR and R/O amounts in the Emergency Department Omnicell machines led to a significant reduction in the average number of restocks for pharmacy technicians. Since stock outs were not reduced, nursing time and patient safety were also not improved.