Automation of a Tertiary Hospital Pharmacy Drug Dispensing System in a Lower-middle-income Country: A Case Study and Preliminary Results

Overview

Journal Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm

Date 2022 Jun 30

PMID 35770196

Authors

Angela Maria Bagattini

Jose Luiz Alvim Borges

Rachel Riera

Debora Cecilia Mantovani Faustino de Carvalho

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: An increase in the use of automated systems has optimised the drug dispensing process in hospitals.

Methods: This case study describes the implementation of automated drug dispensing system and presents the preliminary results of automated pharmaceutical dispensing with robots (PillPick® and BoxPicker®, ©Swisslog Healthcare) at Hospital Sírio-Libanês, a private tertiary hospital in Brazil.

Results: During the study period, between 2013 (pre-automation) and 2017 (post-automation) the number total of medication errors has not changed post-automation, but there was significant reduction in error in the dispensing phase with a relative risk of 0.84 (95% confidence interval: 0.70-0.99) withal a reduction in the numbers of returned items, breakages, and loss of medications, although that delivery times have increased..

Conclusion: The study results suggest that the use of robotic systems in the central pharmacy may improve hospital pharmacy management and generate only a few errors in dispensing pharmaceuticals.

Citing Articles

Assessment of Automation Models in Hospital Pharmacy: Systematic Review of Technologies, Practices, and Clinical Impacts.

Meknassi Salime G, Bhirich N, Cherif Chefchaouni A, El Hamdaoui O, El Baraka S, Elalaoui Y Hosp Pharm. 2025; :00185787251315622.

PMID: 40026489 PMC: 11869230. DOI: 10.1177/00185787251315622.

Exploring the Benefits, Barriers and Improvement Opportunities in Implementing Automated Dispensing Cabinets: A Qualitative Study.

Mutair A, Elgamri A, Taleb K, Alhassan B, Alsalim M, Alduriahem H Pharmacy (Basel). 2025; 13(1).

PMID: 39998010 PMC: 11859922. DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy13010012.

The digital transformation of nursing practice: an analysis of advanced IoT technologies and smart nursing systems.

Wang B, Shi X, Han X, Xiao G Front Med (Lausanne). 2024; 11:1471527.

PMID: 39678028 PMC: 11638746. DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1471527.

Comparing Patient Satisfaction with Automated Drug Dispensing System and Traditional Drug Dispensing System: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Amirthalingam P, Alruwaili A, Albalawi O, Alatawi F, Alqifari S, Alatawi A Patient Prefer Adherence. 2024; 18:2337-2345.

PMID: 39583135 PMC: 11585295. DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S492802.

Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Service Delivery through a Robotic Dispensing System: A Case Study from a Retail Pharmacy in Brazil.

Basile K, Martinez M, Lucaci J, Goldblatt C, Beer I Pharmacy (Basel). 2024; 12(5).

PMID: 39311121 PMC: 11417772. DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy12050130.

References

Noparatayaporn P, Sakulbumrungsil R, Thaweethamcharoen T, Sangseenil W . Comparison on Human Resource Requirement between Manual and Automated Dispensing Systems. Value Health Reg Issues. 2017; 12:107-111. DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2017.03.007. View

de-Carvalho D, Alvim-Borges J, Toscano C . Impact assessment of an automated drug-dispensing system in a tertiary hospital. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2017; 72(10):629-636. PMC: 5666447. DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2017(10)07. View

Aldhwaihi K, Schifano F, Pezzolesi C, Umaru N . A systematic review of the nature of dispensing errors in hospital pharmacies. Integr Pharm Res Pract. 2018; 5:1-10. PMC: 5741032. DOI: 10.2147/IPRP.S95733. View

Wittich C, Burkle C, Lanier W . Medication errors: an overview for clinicians. Mayo Clin Proc. 2014; 89(8):1116-25. DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.05.007. View

Santos T, Penm J, Baldoni A, Ayres L, Moles R, Sanches C . Hospital pharmacy workforce in Brazil. Hum Resour Health. 2018; 16(1):1. PMC: 5755413. DOI: 10.1186/s12960-017-0265-5. View

Batson S, Herranz A, Rohrbach N, Canobbio M, Mitchell S, Bonnabry P . Automation of in-hospital pharmacy dispensing: a systematic review. Eur J Hosp Pharm. 2020; 28(2):58-64. PMC: 7907692. DOI: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2019-002081. View

Fanning L, Jones N, Manias E . Impact of automated dispensing cabinets on medication selection and preparation error rates in an emergency department: a prospective and direct observational before-and-after study. J Eval Clin Pract. 2015; 22(2):156-63. DOI: 10.1111/jep.12445. View

Ahtiainen H, Kallio M, Airaksinen M, Holmstrom A . Safety, time and cost evaluation of automated and semi-automated drug distribution systems in hospitals: a systematic review. Eur J Hosp Pharm. 2020; 27(5):253-262. PMC: 7447254. DOI: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2018-001791. View

Chapuis C, Bedouch P, Detavernier M, Durand M, Francony G, Lavagne P . Automated drug dispensing systems in the intensive care unit: a financial analysis. Crit Care. 2015; 19:318. PMC: 4563942. DOI: 10.1186/s13054-015-1041-3. View

10.

Cousein E, Mareville J, Lerooy A, Caillau A, Labreuche J, Dambre D . Effect of automated drug distribution systems on medication error rates in a short-stay geriatric unit. J Eval Clin Pract. 2014; 20(5):678-84. PMC: 4524418. DOI: 10.1111/jep.12202. View

11.

Baker G, Norton P, Flintoft V, Blais R, Brown A, Cox J . The Canadian Adverse Events Study: the incidence of adverse events among hospital patients in Canada. CMAJ. 2004; 170(11):1678-86. PMC: 408508. DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.1040498. View

12.

Hitti E, Lewin 3rd J, Lopez J, Hansen J, Pipkin M, Itani T . Improving door-to-antibiotic time in severely septic emergency department patients. J Emerg Med. 2011; 42(4):462-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2011.05.015. View

13.

Le Gonidec P, Diallo M, Djoussa-Kambou S, Guizard M . [Performances of an automated dispensing system combined with a computerized prescription order entry]. Ann Pharm Fr. 2009; 67(2):84-90. DOI: 10.1016/j.pharma.2008.12.004. View