Ana Herranz-Alonso

Medication management is a complex process and there are many factors that must be taken into account; increasing drug cost and complexity, growing number of patients, and the potential for patient harm. The role of hospital pharmacies is changing from being a largely logistical function towards providing added-value through clinical guidance, safety and efficiency.

IT and integrated medication management solutions can help this transition. Software integration between electronic prescription, central pharmacy and ward distribution automation aim at closed loop medication management, allowing automatic ordering, full traceability and documentation, reducing costly medication errors and increasing patient safety.

IT and robots can be useful tools to increase efficiency, reduce medication errors and free up staff for more clinical work resulting not only in higher patient safety but also in increased staff happiness.

Implementing new technology always requires substantial change management and leadership