Automated Dispensing Cabinets (ADCs) are used to securely store medications on each nursing unit and in the Operating Rooms. The ADC provides inventory controls, including trackable access, stock level management, and medication selection based on Physician orders for each patient. The cabinets ensure that the correct medications are easily obtainable by the nurses, reducing the time spent sourcing the medications needed by their patients, and allowing more time for direct patient care.
This equipment safeguards all medications and provides tracking of each drug from the time it is prescribed until it is given to the patient. The technology tracks expiration dates, storage temperatures and stock levels ensuring the correct drugs are available and in optimal condition. They ensure that medications with similar names and looks do not get mixed up, as every medication has a barcode to be scanned. The ADCs eliminate the potential for medication errors, by connecting directly to each patient's electronic Medication Administration Record. This connection allows nursing to select each medication directed by what has been prescribed by the Physician.
The inventory management of the ADCs also ensures that similarly named medications are not stored beside one another, alerts pop up on-screen when nurses select a medication (such as allergies, drug interactions and dosage warning), and that every Physician entered order is verified by a pharmacist to ensure clinical appropriateness for the patient.
Many benefits have come from having Automated Dispensing Cabinets at WDMH, including streamlined access to medications, increase in patient safety and reduction of medication related errors. This equipment provides safe and secure access to medications across the facility, and we hope that WDMH will continue to benefit from this technology for many years to come.
On behalf of WDMH staff, patients and patients' family members, we would like to extend our most sincere and profound appreciation for your contribution to the replacement of our Automated Dispensing Cabinets. We acknowledge, and admire, your support of our goal for increased patient safety, and we are honoured to be partnered with you in our journey for Compassionate Excellence. The final cost of the new Automatic Dispensing Cabinets was $1,602,535 and was purchased from the WDMH Foundation's General Equipment Fund.