Macclesfield robot links to iSoft system

Macclesfield District Hospital has implemented a bi-directional interface from iSoft to allow its robotic dispensing system to automatically update its pharmacy system when medicines are loaded or dispensed.

The hospital, which is part of East Cheshire NHS Trust, went live with the system last week.

It hopes the move will reduce dispensing errors and increase efficiency through better stock control. It also hopes it will free-up the department’s 60 staff so they can focus on patient care.

The trust implemented the Mach 4 robotic system, which can store up to 18,000 drug packs, in 2006 alongside iSoft’s pharmacy system.

However, this is the first time that the two have been synchronised to automatically update each other.

Adrian Stevens, managing director of iSoft’s UK and Ireland business, said: “The addition of a bi-directional interface is a significant advance for iSoft’s pharmacy solution.

“Dispensing systems and pharmacy applications are commonplace. Two-way communication is not, with very few hospitals having this vital facility.

"This breakthrough will also be of huge interest to pharmacy customers elsewhere.”

A report sent to the iSoft system tells staff in which chute drugs have been dispensed and whether the order has been fulfilled.

This should mean that staff spend less time searching for packs and in turn allow them to process prescriptions more quickly.

The implementation has already cut the time needed to check-in new deliveries. 

Previously, staff had to check every drug pack individually. Now, packs are instead loaded onto the robot’s conveyor and scanned, sorted and stored automatically.

The robot is synchronised to the iSoft system, which is automatically updated so that deliveries are reconciled against purchase orders.

A new workflow monitor also allows pharmacy staff prioritise dispensing, based on the prescription type and urgency and enables the pharmacy monitor performance against key trust targets.

Link: iSOFT