In the last two weeks, several hospitals announced plans to implement innovative partnerships, programs or technology to improve pharmacy operations.
Here is a breakdown of four:
1. Beaufort (S.C.) Memorial Hospital. This South Carolina hospital is eliminating an errand for hospital patients through a partnership with Publix Pharmacy. Under the partnership, a nearby Publix Pharmacy will fill medications prescribed during patients' hospital stays, and a Publix associate will deliver the prescription to their room before they are discharged.
2. Baylor Scott & White (Dallas.) This Texas health system is installing pharmacy kiosks in several hospitals in its network. The kiosks, which fill prescriptions within hours of receipt, allow patients to pick up their prescriptions 24 hours a day and are expected to free up time for pharmacists.
3. Binghamton (N.Y.) General Hospital. The New York hospital is home to one of United Health Services' retail pharmacies. The pharmacy recently installed an automatic pill dispenser that counts out the medication for pharmacists and sends an alert when it is done counting. The goal of the program is to free up time for pharmacists, so they can focus on patient consults.
4. Mississippi Baptist Medical Center (Jackson). This Mississippi hospital has partnered with TeleHealth Services, a virtual care provider, to install an internet protocol television system and network-based TVs in patient rooms. The TVs will provide multimedia content to help patients learn about their prescription medications and the hospital's onsite pharmacy. The goal of the program is to reduce hospital readmission rates and boost medication adherence.
Is your hospital pharmacy working on an innovative solution? Becker's would love to hear about it. If interested, email Alia Paavola at apaavola@beckershealthcare.com.