Implementation of a robot for the preparation of antineoplastic drugs in the Pharmacy Service

Objective: To describe the implementation of a robot for the preparation of antineoplastic drugs in the Pharmacy Service and to be able to analyze the added value to pharmacotherapy. Methods: The implementation was carried out in June 2012 at a tertiary level Hospital, taking place in two periods:...

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Main Authors: María de la Paz Pacheco Ramos, Ainhoa Elisa Arenaza Peña, Alejandro Santiago Pérez, Cristina Bilbao Gómez-Martino, María Dolores Zamora Barrios, María Lourdes Arias Fernández
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Grupo Aula Médica 2015-01-01
Series:Farmacia Hospitalaria
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Online Access:http://www.aulamedica.es/fh/pdf/7497.pdf
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Summary:Objective: To describe the implementation of a robot for the preparation of antineoplastic drugs in the Pharmacy Service and to be able to analyze the added value to pharmacotherapy. Methods: The implementation was carried out in June 2012 at a tertiary level Hospital, taking place in two periods: 1- test period with the installation of the robot, with technical configuration of the equipment and validation of 29 active ingredients and the integration of electronic prescribing software with the robot application (9 months). 2- Usage period (22 months). On the other hand, training was given to pharmacists and nurses. The robot uses image recognition, barcode identification and gravimetric controls for proper operation. These checks provide information about the error ratio in the preparation, with a margin of ± 10%, which after a pilot study was restricted to a range of ±4%. The robot was programmed to recognize bags, infusion pumps, syringes and vials. The added value was assessed for 31 months by identifying preparation´s errors. Results: 11,865 preparations were made by the robot, which meant approximately 40% of all antineoplastic prepared from 29 different active ingredients. 1.12% (n=133) of the errors were identified by the robot and therefore didn´t reach the patient (negative desviation - 4%). These errors were corrected manually. Conclusion: The implementation of a robot in the preparation of antineoplastic drugs allows to identify errors therefore preventing them to arrive to the patient. This promotes safety and quality of the process, reducing the exposure to cytotoxic drugs from the manipulator
ISSN:1130-6343
2171-8695