Optimizing hospital pharmacy: AP-HM's winning strategy - Part 1

[custom-html]

Securing the Medication Circuit: A Top Priority Improving the security of the medication circuit was a priority for the teams at APHM (La Timone). This is why the hospital has equipped itself with three BD Rowa Vmax global dispensing robots and BD Pyxis connected cabinets. According to Dr. Jean Delorme, assistant pharmacist to the head of the department and hospital pharmacist, “Previously, some steps remained manual and subject to human error. Today, stock management is fully automated and much more reliable.” Between 3,000 and 5,000 boxes of medication are processed daily. Thanks to an intelligent loading conveyor, entire cartons are emptied into the machine. Each box is then presented to a camera that reads its barcode to register it in the system. “Verification is instantaneous: we know immediately what we are storing and where it is, in real time,” explains Dr. Nicolas Coste, assistant pharmacist in charge of supplies. This solution is primarily a response to the daily challenges faced by hospitals: “Automated management ensures that no expired or incorrect medication is distributed to patient care units.” In addition to robots, BD Pyxis cabinets are another key element of medication management at AP-HM (Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Marseille). They allow for secure storage directly within the wards, with access controlled by name badge and fingerprints. Each transaction is recorded in a digital log, and medication dispensing is contingent upon an electronically validated prescription. “These cabinets guarantee optimized stock management, with real-time monitoring of levels and automatic replenishment alerts,” explains Professor Lionel Velly, Head of the Intensive Care Unit. Saving time… and space By automating stock management, the APHM (La Timone) has also revolutionized its spatial organization. “By eliminating unused space, the robot allows us to compact and store the equivalent of 600 square meters of shelving in just 100 square meters,” says Dr. Delorme.