HIROC subscriber launches test of innovative dispensing system
Automated system to reduce potential for adverse events caused by dispensing errors
Wednesday July 2, 2008 -- Jason Thompson
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is engaging in a three-month trial to evaluate patient experiences with a new automated medication dispensing system.

Designed to reduce the potential for dispensing errors, the PharmaTrust Dispensary is able to carry up to 220 types of prescription medication, including pre-packaged oral and topical drugs.

After a pharmacist processes the prescription, the dispensary uses radio frequency identification technology and bar code scanning to identify, label and deliver the medication prescribed to the patient.

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is a method of automated identification which stores and can remotely retrieve data from devices known as RFID tags. The tags can be affixed to an item for identification through radio waves.

"Sunnybrook endeavors to be on the forefront in testing innovative new technologies and we're hoping this trial will provide pharmacists additional time with patients to provide optimal counseling and advice on the appropriate use of their medication," says Thomas Paton, director of pharmacy services at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, a Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC) subscriber.

"Our priority is to seek out opportunities that have the potential to enhance patient care," Paton says.

According to a statement by PCA Services Inc., which developed the new dispenser, a PharmaTrust pharmacist will be present during the trial to process the prescriptions, verify each medication dispensed and provide medication couselling to patients using the dispensary.

PCA Services says the PharmaTrust Dispensary is the result of two years of research and development and was created for use in hospitals, pharmacies, clinics and other healthcare settings.

"Patient choice, convenience, safety and privacy are fundamental to our vision of PharmaTrust and we have spent much of the past two years ensuring we can deliver in these key areas at all levels," says PCA Services’ chief pharmacist Jim Gay in a statement.

Based in Oakville, PCA Services produces of hardware and software for the dispensing and on-going management of patient drug therapy.