A new automated pharmacy system that will improve patient safety, reduce medication errors, free-up pharmacists for more direct patient care and enhance medication dispensing was unveiled today at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, B.C.

“This is the first automated hospital pharmacy system of its type in Western Canada,” said Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services and Minister responsible for Seniors' and Women's Issues. “It means patients at Royal Jubilee will now get their medications through one of the most advanced and safe pharmacy systems in the country.”

The new automated system, developed by McKesson Automation, has three separate, interlinked components:
• MedCarousel, a medication storage and retrieval system that efficiently stores medications in rotating 14-foot high vertical shelves, which provide the equivalent storage capacity of 100 feet of horizontal shelving space. The storage system is guided by a flashing light that identifies the correct medication, thereby eliminating confusion caused by look-alike or sound-alike medications.
• Robot-Rx, a robotic system that uses bar-code technology to pick out and dispense a 24-hour supply of medications for patients. The medication – packaged in single dose supplies – is automatically deposited in envelopes printed with the patient’s name and bar-code identification. The robot stores 600 of the most commonly used medications.
• AcuDose-Rx, automated dispensing cabinets holding narcotics medications and wardstock, will be installed in various locations in the hospital, including the emergency room, operating room suites, intensive care unit and nursing units. Nurses can withdraw medications from the secure cabinets using touch-screen technology.

Approximately 3,500 doses of medication are dispensed at Royal Jubilee Hospital every day.

“Automation is the future of pharmacy as it significantly improves the medication delivery system,” said Joe Murphy, Vice President, Operations and Support Services, Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA). “This new system allows our staff to provide better inventory control, with less waste and improved patient care.”

Under the old, manual system, medication orders were dispensed for a 7-10 day period. Changes to dose, route or frequency – which occur frequently in acute care – would not be reflected in the medication order that had been filled. With the new automated system, dispensing orders occur every 24 hours, meaning all orders are current. The system also allows pharmacists to devote more time to direct patient care – monitoring drug interactions, resolving drug-related problems and supporting physicians in tailoring drug therapies for individual patients.

“Automated pharmacy systems play a crucial role in reducing medication errors and improving inventory control,” said Olivier Martin, Director, Medication System Design, McKesson Canada. “The McKesson integrated solution allows medication to be tracked automatically by type, patient and caregiver, improving patient safety while keeping track of inventory of medications.”

The total equipment and project budget is $5.75 million, funded by VIHA, the Government of B.C., the Capital Regional District and the Greater Victoria Hospitals Foundation (GVHF).

“The Greater Victoria Hospitals Foundation is pleased to contribute to patient-centred pharmaceutical care,” said Leslee Farrell, Board Chair, GVHF. “I want to thank our dedicated donors who through our direct mail campaigns, have raised $224,000 towards this important project.”

About Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA)

The Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) is one of six health authorities in British Columbia .  VIHA provides a full range of health care services to people living on Vancouver Island , and surrounding areas. Their services include hospital, community, and home care, as well as environmental and public health services.
 
About McKessonCanada:
McKesson Canada is the leading provider of logistics as well as information products and services within the Canadian health care marketplace. McKesson Canada offers a range of integrated solutions through our five business units which are McKesson Pharmaceutical, McKesson Logistics Solutions, McKesson Automation, McKesson Health Solutions, and McKesson Information Solutions.  

Contacts:Suzanne Germain,Vancouver Island  Health AuthorityTel: 250.370.8270
Françoise LeBlancCommunications, McKesson Canada Tel: 514.832.8287communication@mckesson.ca