Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Care and Sciences (Oct 2022)

Evaluating the safety and efficiency of robotic dispensing systems

  • Tomoki Takase,
  • Norio Masumoto,
  • Naoki Shibatani,
  • Yusaku Matsuoka,
  • Fumiaki Tanaka,
  • Masaki Hirabatake,
  • Hiroko Kashiwagi,
  • Itaru Nishioka,
  • Hiroaki Ikesue,
  • Tohru Hashida,
  • Naoshi Koide,
  • Nobuyuki Muroi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40780-022-00255-w
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Background Although automated dispensing robots have been implemented for medication dispensing in Japan, their effect is yet to be fully investigated. In this study, we evaluated the effect of automated dispensing robots and collaborative work with pharmacy support staff on medication dispensing. Methods A robotic dispensing system integrating the following three components was established: (1) automated dispensing robot (Drug Station®), which is operated by pharmacy support staff, (2) automated dispensing robot for powdered medicine (Mini DimeRo®), and (3) bar-coded medication dispensing support system with personal digital assistance (Hp-PORIMS®). Subsequently, we evaluated the incidences of dispensing errors and dispensing times before and after introducing the robotic dispensing system. Dispensing errors were classified into two categories, namely prevented dispensing errors and unprevented dispensing errors. The incidence of dispensing errors was calculated as follows: incidence of dispensing errors = total number of dispensing errors/total number of medication orders in each prescription. Results After introducing the robotic dispensing system, the total incidence of prevented dispensing errors was significantly reduced (0.204% [324/158,548] to 0.044% [50/114,111], p < 0.001). The total incidence of unprevented dispensing errors was significantly reduced (0.015% [24/158,548] to 0.002% [2/114,111], p < 0.001). The number of cases of wrong strength and wrong drug, which can seriously impact a patient’s health, reduced to almost zero. The median dispensing time of pharmacists per prescription was significantly reduced (from 60 to 23 s, p < 0.001). Conclusions The robotic dispensing system enabled the process of medication dispensing by pharmacist to be partially and safely shared with automated dispensing robots and pharmacy support staff. Therefore, clinical care for patients by pharmacists could be enhanced by ensuring quality and safety of medication.

Keywords