Lecture Notes: Medication Management with Pyxis in Eastern Health Hospitals

Introduction

• Flow of Medication: Constant flow from pharmacies to patient floors.
• Purpose: Ensure patients receive the right medication at the right time.

Introduction of Pyxis

• What is Pyxis?: An automated medicine cabinet.
• Implementation: Led by Dave Smith, the pharmacist.
• Purpose: Address delays and ensure medications are readily available.

Features of Pyxis

• Electronic Inventory Tracking: Especially beneficial for narcotics and controlled substances.
• Quick Refill: Ensures medications are stocked before depletion.
• Stocking: More commonly used medications are readily available.
• Fingerprint Access: Cabinets open electronically via fingerprints.

Advantages over Previous Systems

• Efficient Refilling: Reduced refill time by 2 hours per day.
• Reduction in Medication Requests: 49% decrease in requests for unavailable medications.
• Improved Organization and Security: Frontline staff collaboration led to a more organized system.

Implementation at St. Clare's Mercy Hospital

• Time Management: Nurses, like Danielle Dinh, report better time efficiency.
• Patient Benefits: Quicker access to medications after doctor prescriptions.
• Process: Orders are quickly keyed into the system for immediate floor access.

Additional Safety Features

• Drug Warning Screen: Alerts nurses to special instructions before drug removal.
• Integration with Meditec: Pharmacy-entered data appears on Pyxis screens, ensuring accurate medication delivery.

Investment and Expansion

• Financial Investment: Multi-million dollar investment by Eastern Health.
• Current and Future Sites: Implemented at the Health Sciences Center, with plans for expansion.

Ongoing Process Improvements

• Division Manager's Role: Continuous monitoring of processes to maintain high standards.
• Efficiency and Safety: Pyxis improves both nurse efficiency and patient safety.

Conclusion

• Pyxis Goals: To enhance productivity and safety in medication administration, proving that improvements are achievable one medication at a time.