This past spring Daniels Memorial Healthcare Center incorporated automated medication dispensing cabinets into the nursing workflow for the critical access hospital. These cabinets were placed in the medication room and consumed a large amount of work space previously used by nursing staff which required reorganization of supplies and space. Through this process the supplies were streamlined and grouped together according to task and this has resulted in fewer steps by nursing staff and decreased time. After staff became accustomed with the new location of supplies, they are able to quickly locate what supplies are needed to complete the task at hand.

The introduction of the automated dispensing cabinets has resulted in staff being able to obtain the ordered medications and prepare them right in the medication room. Previously, staff had to go into the pharmacy which is approximately one hundred steps away there and back. While this distance does not seem large, it was more time spent by nursing staff away from their patients and not allowing them to provide patient care. Having the cabinets in the medication room has resulted in a significant number of decreased steps and saved time when getting medications. That is not to say that it has not been a huge adjustment incorporating this new technology! The previous way of obtaining medications was used for many, many years and change does take time.

Overall, staff has accepted the automated medication dispensing cabinets with little resistance. This was accomplished by including the nursing staff in the process and allowing them to voice concerns and be involved in the reorganization. As the streamlining of supplies was so successful, the project carried over to the emergency room as well.