Graham Caitens (left) and Annette Scott with the new pharmacy robot
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Darling Downs Health has installed a new state-of-the-art pharmacy robot to help provide safer and more efficient distribution of medication to patients at the Toowoomba Hospital.
The BD Rowa Smart robot will allow the pharmacy to automate the storage, retrieval and distribution of medications across the entire hospital.
Health Chief Executive Annette Scott PSM said the new technology was part of the service’s digital transformation.
“The robot will save our pharmacists and pharmacy technicians countless hours when it comes to processing and dispensing scripts,” Ms Scott said.
“Thanks to this technology, our pharmacy team can deliver exceptional patient care by streamlining routine tasks and freeing up more time for meaningful clinical engagement.”
The robot will also decrease the amount of time staff will need to spend stocking shelves and help reduce errors in the dispensing process.
Ms Scott said the robot was an example of the Health Service’s increased focus on investing in new technologies to improve efficiency and safety across the region.
“Technologies such as the BD Rowa Smart are part of our future plans to further enhance the delivery of health care services across the Darling Downs.”
Director of Pharmacy Services at Toowoomba Hospital Graham Caitens said he was excited to see the robot fully operational
“This robot will help improve patient safety by ensuring the right medication gets to the right patients,”
Director of Pharmacy Services at Toowoomba Hospital Graham Caitens
“The robot is currently handling more than 1,200 transactions per day with speed and accuracy, with ample capacity for future demand.”
The machine can stock up 13,000 products and features real-time stock monitoring, allowing pharmacists to reduce waste due to expired medications.
Due to the modular nature of the BD Rowa Smart dispensing robot, staff will be able to transfer the robot elsewhere in the Health Service.