Top Benefits of Remote Dispensing Machines
Now, more than ever, consumers across the world are looking for more convenient ways to gain access to the goods and services they need without coming in contact with other individuals. With the COVID-19 climate continuing to evolve on what seems like a weekly basis, it’s hard to say when things will feel like they're back to normal, but one way long-term care pharmacies can help consumers during these uncertain times is by utilizing remote dispensing machines for medications.
In this article, we’ll dive into the science behind remote dispensing, uncover the many benefits that come with this convenient option for residents and families of vulnerable consumers in need, and discuss how FrameworkLTC’s pharmacy management platform can enable your LTC pharmacy to take advantage of this solution:
What is remote dispensing?
Traditional pharmacy medication distribution systems being used in long-term care have worked for years, but our needs as a society are changing. Remote dispensing is described as the automated dispensing of medications from a machine that’s linked to live audio and video, according to an excerpt from Today's Geriatric Medicine.
“Automated dispensing of medications by pharmacies occurs via remotely operated automated dispensing systems, which include a live audio-video link with a pharmacist to provide pharmacy services at the point-of-care in hospital emergency departments (EDs), specialty clinics, employer-based health clinics, and other deployment settings to improve compliance and adherence with patients' drug therapy,” wrote Mark D. Coggins, PharmD, CGP, FASCP in the article “Telepharmacy's Clinical Benefits” found in Today’s Geriatric Medicine.
Medications are delivered to the pharmacy in canisters, in bulk. These canisters are loaded into the remote dispensing systems, which are located within the long-term care facilities. When residents need their medication, they simply refer to a caregiver, family member, or themselves to go to the machine where their labeled medication will be dispensed.
The benefits of remote dispensing machines
As mentioned, convenience is one of the major advantages that come with this model. An ability to orient the dispensing machine within the walls of the long-term care facility saves time, effort, and money. While this is certainly something that both residents and providers are widely interested in, there are many more benefits of remote dispensing, including:
Reduced waiting times: As explained by the National Community Pharmacists Association, providers can see a major reduction in waiting times for urgently needed medications. Since the machines are loaded in advance, residents and care providers alike won’t have to worry about getting an order in time.
Nurse accessibility: Because these machines are preloaded in advance, nurses always have immediate access to medications. This is specifically advantageous for when new residents are placed in the facility, and readmissions come back at what seems like an inopportune time.
Nurse availability: As stated by McKnight’s Long Term Care News, nurses will have more time to spend with residents and meet their needs since they will have on-demand access to medications. No more time will be wasted on narcotic counts, rather, nurses will spend the end of their shifts doing check-ins with residents.
Improved quality of care: Because facility staff gain back time to spend with residents, there’s a direct impact on quality of care and the ability to focus on what matters most: the health of each resident.
Reduced medication waste: Reduced bulk packaging returns can virtually eliminate medication waste, which can ultimately save the healthcare industry billions of dollars in the long run.
Reduced margin of error: Thanks to automation and multi-dose packaging, nurses will see less room for error which means patients will receive dosages when necessary.
While all of these benefits are transforming day-to-day processes for residents experiencing the hardships of the current climate, consider how advantageous remote dispensing machines can prove to be when the dust settles. The time, effort, and money saved across the board can be put toward more care service improvements and enhancing the lives of long-term care residents.
Implementing automation
As a business, the most valuable piece of information you can gain - and run with - during this time is understanding how to transform with the current climate and emerge stronger. Remote dispensing machines can be beneficial to your business and advantageous to patients during this climate, but also in the future when convenience is important and competition is fierce.
If you’re interested in making the move to remote dispensing medication machines, FrameworkLTC’s powerful pharmacy management platform can help your pharmacy ensure and improve interfacing capabilities. As an LTC pharmacy, it’s critical to offer interfaces that can directly optimize your facility’s investments, and a pharmacy management platform is useful in leveraging technology solutions like remote dispensing machines.
Learn more about FrameworkLTC’s powerful remote dispensing interfaces today.
DISCLAIMER: The information in this post is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed to be legal advice or sufficient to achieve compliance with any particular law, regulation, mandate, or guideline. All material is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind, express or implied. In no event will SoftWriters, Inc. be liable for any damages on any claim or action arising from the use of this material.
Sources:
https://www.mcknights.com/blogs/guest-columns/the-advantages-of-remote-medication-dispensing/
http://www.ncpa.co/pdf/ncpa-comments-fda-repackaging-certain-human-drug-products.pdf
https://www.todaysgeriatricmedicine.com/archive/JF17p8.shtml
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/23/us/coronavirus-which-states-stay-at-home-order-trnd/index.html