News

Beebe Medical Center Installs New Pharmacy Technology

08/27/03

Beebe Medical Center strengthened its commitment to quality healthcare this month by installing an advanced pharmacy robotics system that uses bar code technology to automate the dispensing and delivery of inpatient medications. The Hospital installed the system in May 2003 and conducted extensive testing to prepare for the more than 3,000 medication doses per day hospital-wide. Beebe’s pharmacy department began dispensing medication with the ROBOT-Rx on August 5, 2003.

Beebe purchased the ROBOT-Rx drug distribution system to support its goal of preventing medication errors. “Patient safety is our number one priority in the medical center's strategic plan,” explains Jeffrey Fried, President of Beebe Medical Center. "As part of our efforts to continually improve patient safety, we focus on the hundreds of processes that take place each and every day within our organization, and look for ways to reduce the potential for problems to occur. This technology will have a significant impact on our efforts to enhance safety, as it is designed to alter the medication distribution process and minimize the possibility of dispensing the wrong medications for our patients."

The ROBOT-Rx system, manufactured by McKessonHBOCAutomated Healthcare, is widely recognized in the healthcare industry for its accuracy. ROBOT-Rx prevents medication errors, reduces inventory and labor costs, and allows pharmacists to spend more time on the hospital floor with patients, rather than involving them in medication dispensing tasks.

“The volume of pharmaceuticals available on the market today makes the ROBOT-Rx technology even more valuable,” explains Sam Roberts, RPh, MS, Pharmacy Director. “Beebe Medical Center has made an investment in the future of the community and its residents by seeking the most advanced pharmacy technology available.”