Development of Automatic Dispensing System Using a Prescription Odering System

Evaluation of the System Applied to All Wards

Abstract

Recently, with the spread of a computer in hospitals a prescription ordering system has been introduced in many hospitals.An automatic dispensing system in which a prescription ordering system and automatic tablet counting and packing system (ATC) are connected by on-line network has been developed and one-dose packing of tablets/capsules has been attempted.However, an automatic dispensing system in which 2 or more sets of ATC are operated efficiently has not been reported and the objects are restricted to a part of prescriptions for inpatients. In Kochi Medical School Hospital an automatic dispensing system in which a prescription ordering system and 5 sets of ATC are interlocking efficiently was developed for the improvement of patient compliance and the increase in efficiency of dispensing and labor-saving in drug-giving for ward nurses.Full operation of the system has been started in June 1990 for all the prescriptions for inpatients as the object.As a result, prescription data were delivered from the host CPU to 5 sets of ATC efficiently by a data communicating system, and one-dose packing of tablets/capsules, which had not been hitherto made, became possible without causing an increase in the required time.The rate of errors of dispensing in tablets/capsules was decreased from 0.22 to 0.04%.In wards the labor of drug-giving by nurses was saved by 19%.Furthermore, printing patient's name on subdivided-pack paper was judged useful for preventing