Automated Dispensing Cabinets (ADCs) can improve the safety and efficiency of nursing medication rounds
Errors in medication administration can potentially have disastrous consequences for the patient and put a significant financial burden on the healthcare providers. Apart from the fact that the medication administering process can be prone to errors, it is often time-consuming. According to some studies, nurses can spend a third of their working day on some aspect of medication administration.
Studies suggest that implementing information technology (IT) systems can improve the efficiency and safety of the administrating process. One of the most commonly implemented systems that use IT is the automated dispensing cabinet (ADC).
Since their introduction in the 1980s, ADCs have revolutionized how the nursing staff administers medication in many North American hospitals. ADCs are an indispensable part of dispensing systems of as many as 80% of all hospitals in the United States.
ADCs are essentially locking cabinets that can control access to the medication. A nurse can access the contents placed within the cabinet after successful authentication using multiple methods, including a password or fingerprint scan. The next step is to select a patient from the list and the medication to be administered. Once the nurse makes that decision, the ADC unlocks and allows access to where that particular medication is stored. As the ADCs need authentication by a nurse to dispense a dose, they offer much better security than traditional medicine cabinets. Furthermore, the pharmacy has total control over the inventory of the cabinets using the software.
ADCs can also be equipped with progressive steel drawers that can provide added security for controlled substances. Any discrepancy occurring during the dispensing process is automatically tracked via a robust notification system.
Another significant advantage of implementing an ADC system is saving the nursing staff a lot of time. It has been shown in several studies that the use of ADCs can reduce the time a nurse spends dispensing a medication.
Modern ADCs with state-of-the-art software such as the ones supplied by TouchPoint Medical offers many features that can further improve the efficiency of the nursing staff during dosage administration. Some features that can be particularly helpful in improving patient safety and efficacy include-
- Highly configurable patient profiles
- Remote queuing
- Medication searching
The efficiency and safety of an ADC can be supplemented by the software that controls the system. TouchPoint Medical ADCs are highly customizable that can fit the needs of almost any medical facility. Some of the advantages of our ADCs include-
- Highly customizable designs
- Control substance inventory management system
- Custom software that allows efficient automation and improved workflow efficiency
- Our cabinets can also provide antimicrobial protection
- Highly configurable patient profiles
Implementation of ADCs can significantly increase the efficiency of the nursing staff and save much time during their dispensing rounds. As ADCs can dramatically reduce administration errors, they can improve patient safety as well. The time saved by the nursing staff using ADCs can be used to improve patient care. Using ADCs can help increase patient, nursing, and pharmacy staff satisfaction as well.
TouchPoint Medical is committed to improving the efficiency and safety of healthcare providing institutions through innovative management solutions. Our Automated Dispensing Cabinets and Medication Delivery Carts are highly configurable to fit the needs of your facility.
If you are looking to modernize your healthcare facility, contact us by clicking here to schedule a free demonstration. Our technicians are available 24/7 to answer any questions you might have
