Automated medication retrieval systems reduce pharmacy floor space while improving patient safety, and increasing efficiency in terms of technician time, better reporting, and inventory management. PharmacyCentral, part of Omnicell’s MedGuard suite of solutions for the entire medication use process, is an automated medication retrieval system that combines a carousel system with bar code scanning controls and comprehensive workflow management software to ensure prescription accuracy and direct the dispensing process from point of entry to patient delivery. The system provides for regulatory compliance in inventory control and drug storage, and improves safety, security, and operational efficiency in the pharmacy.

OPC (Optical Proximity Correction) software prioritizes and simplifies tasks for the pharmacy technician, eliminating distribution labor hours and increasing efficiency. STAT drugs are automatically raised in the queue. The carousel brings the work to the technician in one location. And since the workflow management software directs the retrieval of medications, the possibility of error is reduced. Using bar code verification and guiding light technology, the system ensures that the correct medications are stored in and retrieved from the right locations. Bar code labels are printed as each order is fulfilled.

PharmacyCentral has been on the market since 1997 and Omnicell senior product manager Richard Caldwell believes that among the key differentiators of the system is the software, which has had the advantage of seven years of development, and has the capacity to automate many processes, including cabinet replenishment, unit-dose cart fill, clinic replenishment, wholesaler orders, and more.

Bar code labels and MobilNet handheld scanners ensure accurate restocking of both the cabinets and the carousel, and help manage medications kept outside the carousel. Implementation of the PharmacyCentral system at Brigham and Women’s in Boston has dramatically improved the process of cabinet restocking, according to director of pharmacy Bill Churchill. Prior to installation of PharmacyCentral, technicians would fill each paper restock order for 80 cabinets individually. “The carousel makes it an electronic restock process and batches it, which cuts the process time in half,” he notes.

Furthermore, since all restocking is done with bar code scanning, Churchill also reports a significant improvement in accuracy of initial fills by the technician.
The PharmacyCentral system aids compliance with ASHP guidelines on drug distribution and control, ensuring proper environmental control, security, and inventory management. Access to the carousel is controlled by user name and password. In addition, access to particular menu options and drug classes can be defined by the administrator. All transactions are recorded in the system allowing for personalized report-
ing and analysis. Controlled substances can be stored in a separate, secure area. The closed system also includes environmental control for light-sensitive medications.

This system allows hospital pharmacies to manage medication inventory in the central pharmacy by performing all inventory management functions. Due to perpetual inventory tracking, shrinkage is prevented. Sub-minimum inventory levels are identified, and re-order points can be customized. Churchill indicates that the system has clearly met their needs as a perpetual inventory system. Caldwell notes that in installations to date, one-time inventory reduction has been in the range of 15% to 40%, based on the dollar value of inventory.

The high-capacity carousel system provides maximum storage, frees up much-needed vertical floor space, and can be adapted to different types of pharmacy operations, including outpatient pharmacies and central pharmacies in smaller hospitals of 150+ beds. Omnicell provides extensive pre-implementation planning and on-site support during the 10-14 day installation process and the 4-5 days to go live. The system can be adapted to any drug distribution model. With an extensive library of interfaces, PharmacyCentral is compatible with a wide variety of hardware and software configurations.