The Pyxis Effect:
Dispensing Pills and Practical Solutions
On a busy hospital inpatient unit, it’s vital that patients get the exact medications they need – when they need it – in the safest way possible.
From the time the physician orders it – to the time pharmacy fills the order and sends it to the unit – to the time the nursing staff stores it safely – to the moment the nurse places the medication in the hands of the patient…time is of the essence.
Thousands of patients – and millions of medications – are at stake.
In the past year, the pharmacy staff collaborated with nursing staff to address any inefficiencies in the process.
Enter Pyxis – an automated medication dispensing cabinet.
Brilliant in its simplicity – Pyxis ensures that the process is as safe and efficient as possible – for both patients and staff. It tracks inventory electronically – a key safety measure when dealing with narcotics and controlled substances – and interfaces with the Meditech computer to ensure that patients get only the medications prescribed for them.
Status Checks:
The Organ Donor Program successfully completed the accreditation process through Accreditation Canada. This was the first time that organ donation was part of the accreditation process as a separate program.
Surgical Case Performance Reports were developed for city operating rooms. These reports support analysis and monitoring of their operations and process improvement initiatives.
The Occupational Health & Safety and Rehabilitation division advanced program and policy development in a number of areas, including release of the Violence Prevention, Response and Support Policy.
Employees of the Quality, Patient Safety and Risk Management Department, with senior leaders, held 65 “Walk-the-Talk” initiatives, to discuss safety issues with staff.
AUTOMATED MEDICATION
DISPENSING CABINET
Additional information on Eastern Health's performance can be found in the Annual Performance Report 2013-2014.