Automation of the medication tracking process is expected to become a majority practice within the next few years. As is often the case with new technologies, adoption rates at teaching facilities (both academic medical centers and community teaching hospitals) have initially outpaced those in community hospitals. However, given the strong growth projections for this market segment, this automation is expected to expand among facilities of all sizes and types. As part of the adoption process, it is important to note that users give higher satisfaction ratings to vendors with dedicated medication tracking systems versus those utilizing their EHRs for this purpose.

For more information, visit pppmag.com/automation and select Automation Systems, then Medication Tracking.

With 2 years in a row of double digit growth, the automation of medication tracking is likely to soon become a majority practice.

Mid-to large-sized facilities continue to enjoy higher rates of system adoptions versus their counterparts with fewer than 100 beds.

BlueSight, PharmacyKeeper Carts, RxScan, and MedEx are the leading systems in this marketplace. The Other category primarily represents those who utilize their EHR for medication tracking or have a homegrown solution.

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An impressive 92% of users are satisfied with their systems. It is notable that those facilities relying on their EHR for medication tracking are the least satisfied with their approach.

Underscoring the solid user satisfaction ratings, almost half of all users are planning to expand their use of automated medication tracking.

Pharmacy is making a strong commitment to this technology; 45% of those facilities currently without an automated process to track medications are planning to adopt such a system. Notably, 58% of those planned adoptions are slated to occur within the next 2 years.

As purchasing activity increases in this marketplace, EHR systems, PharmacyKeeper Carts, BlueSight, and MedEx lead the vendors under consideration. Most pharmacy directors are reviewing at least 3 different systems during their purchasing process.

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