Making Sure You Have the Right Medication at One of the First Points of Care
The Lord Carter report highlighted the need for ambulance services to take advantage of digital innovation and technology. The report recommended that there should be an increase in patients treated at the scene of an emergency to create savings and reduce pressures on A&E wards. Omnicell automated dispensing systems can help do this by allowing frontline staff to easily access medication so that they can restock their medication pouches/kits.
The Challenge
To free up staff time, help the ambulance service make significant financial savings and ensure that staff have the right dose of the right medication at the scene of an emergency.
To free up staff time, help the ambulance service make significant financial savings and ensure that staff have the right dose of the right medication at the scene of an emergency.
The Solution
Omnicell Automated Dispensing Cabinets
The Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust (WAST) have installed Omnicell’s automated cabinets at 15 District General Hospital sites and five ambulance stations across Wales. The system provides WAST clinicians with secure, biometric controlled access to therange of prescription only medicines and controlled drugs that are used by the 999 service. Fingerprint login to the system lets ambulance crews select and withdraw their required medicines and then registers the withdrawal against the vehicle call sign. The system provides a national standardised solution across Wales and offers a much greater level of monitoring, control and traceability.
Omnicell Automated Dispensing Cabinets
The Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust (WAST) have installed Omnicell’s automated cabinets at 15 District General Hospital sites and five ambulance stations across Wales. The system provides WAST clinicians with secure, biometric controlled access to therange of prescription only medicines and controlled drugs that are used by the 999 service. Fingerprint login to the system lets ambulance crews select and withdraw their required medicines and then registers the withdrawal against the vehicle call sign. The system provides a national standardised solution across Wales and offers a much greater level of monitoring, control and traceability.
The Impact
Improved the safety and secure management of medicines and offered a far greater level of control and access.
Drug administration
Omnicell automated cabinets can help ensure staff have access to the right dose of the right medication. This means when staff arrive at an emergency scene they have the correct medication and there will be no delays in administering medication to patients.
Audit trail
Omnicell automated cabinets can provide a full audit trail and record of who removed the medication, when and for which patient, providing staff with reassurance that nothing can go missing.
No more missing keys
Staff can access the cabinets via a passcode and fingerprint technology. This means reducing staff time spent looking for drug cupboard keys or stock. This time can be returned back to patient care.
Stock levels
Better management of stock levels helps reduce the risk of expired drugs.
Controlled drugs registers
With Omnicell automated dispensing cabinets a CD count can be done on a weekly basis saving a significant amount of staff time allowing for a paperless system.
Patient experience
Ensuring frontline staff have the right dose of the right medication at one of the first points of care can mean safer and more efficient outcomes for patients. This can improve response times as paramedics aren’t having to waste valuable time restocking their vehicle. Patients may also not need to be admitted to the Emergency Department resulting in reduced pressures on A&E.
"The new system has greatly improved the safe and secure management of our medicines and offers us a far greater level of control and access. One of the great benefits of the system is the reduction in time it takes to replenish stocks. As we no longer have the administrative burden of recording drug withdrawals by hand, our vehicles and crews are more readily available to respond to 999 calls and spend more time focusing on face-to-face patient care."
Chris Moore, Health Board Clinical Lead at Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust.
