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. 2022 Oct 1;8(1):24.
doi: 10.1186/s40780-022-00255-w.

Evaluating the safety and efficiency of robotic dispensing systems

Tomoki Takase  1 , Norio Masumoto  2 , Naoki Shibatani  2 , Yusaku Matsuoka  2 , Fumiaki Tanaka  2 , Masaki Hirabatake  2 , Hiroko Kashiwagi  2 , Itaru Nishioka  3 , Hiroaki Ikesue  2 , Tohru Hashida  2 , Naoshi Koide  2   4   5 , Nobuyuki Muroi  2
Affiliations

Evaluating the safety and efficiency of robotic dispensing systems

Tomoki Takase et al. J Pharm Health Care Sci. .

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: Dispensing device; Dispensing error; Dispensing time; Pharmacist; Robot.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Newly implemented dispensing devices. a Automated dispensing robot (Drug Station®), (1) outside view, (2) storage bins and robotic arms, (3) slot. b Automated dispensing robot for powdered medicine (Mini DimeRo®). c Bar-coded medication dispensing support system with using PDA (Hp-PORIMS.®)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Dispensing process flowchart before and after introducing the robotic dispensing system in the study period. Before introducing the robotic dispensing system (period 1), pharmacists manually prepared and dispensed medicines. After introducing the robotic dispensing system (period 2, 3), pharmacists or pharmacy support staff prepared medicines using automated dispensing robot. EMR: electronic medical records
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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