Robot duo dispenses medicines at Hamad General Hospital

The Hamad General Hospital (HGH) further widened its technological horizons by inaugurating two pharmacy ‘robots’ (MACH 4 Omnicell), that together can dispense 1,200 prescriptions per hour.

HE Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, the Minister of Public Health, opened the biggest of its kind project in the region.

The MACH 4 Omnicell robots are expected to reduce the time patients spend waiting for medicines at the pharmacy.

The new equipment will be integrated with the new Clinical Information System (CIS), meaning a better patient experience and less likelihood of human error in reading the scripts.

It is the second automated pharmacy system installed in an HMC hospital, with another operating at Al Wakra Hospital.

The system combines two robots — the Medimat and the Speedbox —which work together to manage dispensary for both complex prescriptions as well as for fast moving items in high demand.

The total stock capacity for both is 14,000 packs.

“This will mean a shorter wait time for our patients and our highly trained pharmacists will be able to spend more time with each patient, imparting vital information and education about their medications,” said Dr Al Kuwari.

The new system has the capacity to not only dispense medications in a timely manner, but it can carry two days’ supply of medications, reducing the need to “downtime” to restock.

It also has a special section for ‘fast moving medications’ for conditions like diabetes and blood pressure which can be dispensed quickly.

Dr Haleema Al Tamimi, Director of Pharmacy at HGH, said under the previous manual system, around 1800 prescriptions were handled daily. “The implementation of this technology means we will be able to dispense medications more efficiently,” said Dr Al Tamimi.

Courtesy: thepeninsulaqatar.com