An evaluation of two automated dispensing machines in UK hospital pharmacy

Objective To assess the impact of two different automated dispensing machines (‘robots’) on safety, efficiency and staff satisfaction, in a UK hospital setting. Setting An NHS teaching hospital trust with two main sites each comprising 450 beds. A Swisslog Pack Picker automated dispensing machine was installed in the dispensary at site 1 in December 2003, and a Rowa Speedcase at site 2 in October 2005. Method A before-and-after study design was used on each site, with site 2 acting as a control for site 1. Staff recorded data on dispensing errors identified at the final-check stage; an observer recorded the time taken to label, pick and assemble dispensed items; we recorded turnaround times for the different types of prescription and assessed storage space efficiency. We also used questionnaires to explore staff views. Key findings The robot resulted in a significant decrease in dispensing errors on each site (from 2.7 to 1.0% of dispensed items on site 1, and from 1.2 to 0.6% on site 2). Reductions occurred in errors involving wrong content; there was no clear effect on labelling errors. There were reductions in the time required to pick items for dispensing; there was no impact on labelling or assembly times. There was no conclusive effect on turnaround times. Increases in storage capacity occurred on each site; staff on site 2 were more satisfied following introduction of the robot; there was no difference on site 1. Conclusion Installation of a dispensary robot has modest benefits in terms of reduced dispensing errors, reduced picking times, increased staff satisfaction and increased storage capacity; there was no conclusive impact on turnaround times. These findings seem to be independent of the type of robot installed.