Talyst demonstrates advanced features of AutoPharm® 3 hospital pharmacy automation, extending controls and efficiencies
Capabilities unveiled at ASHP conference include enhanced
medication tracking, mobile computing functions and extended inventory
control throughout the central pharmacy and remote locations
Bellevue, Wash., Dec. 3, 2007 — Talyst today unveiled the latest generation of automation systems for central-pharmacy operations, designed to meet the evolving needs of acute-care hospitals, medical centers and integrated healthcare systems.
AutoPharm 3, Talyst’s software platform, links and unifies disparate systems of various manufacturers, all to enable the central pharmacy to achieve enhanced patient safety, improved operating efficiency and precise pharmacy control. Throughout the hospital, medications can be tracked from the point of entry to the automated dispensing unit or patient care area.
The first industry demonstrations of AutoPharm 3 are underway this week at the 2007 Midyear Clinical Meeting of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), in Las Vegas. Talyst is exhibiting in booth #2047 at the Sands Expo Center.
The new AutoPharm 3 will be available during the first half of 2008. More than 300 medical facilities have already installed or committed to using Talyst AutoPharm.
Third-generation advantages
“The AutoPharm platform has always been innovative for the central pharmacy. But now this third generation has become more comprehensive, adaptable and user friendly,” according to James E. Torina, president and chief executive officer of Talyst. “This market-leading functionality will enable our customers to gain greater safety and cost control over their medications, and extend that control beyond the walls of the pharmacy, to remote inventory locations and patient care areas.”
New features in AutoPharm 3 include:
• Broader Inventory Control—AutoPharm 3 extends inventory controls to all locations within the pharmacy and to remote inventory locations, within and beyond the hospital walls. AutoPharm provides richer support for all inventory locations, including Talyst’s unique AutoCool controlled-access refrigerator, traditional refrigerators, static shelving and satellite locations in the hospital and multi-hospital systems.
• Chain of Custody—AutoPharm 3 enables precise tracking of medications at every step of the fulfillment process, including after totes or carts leave the central pharmacy. AutoPharm documents when the medications leave the pharmacy and when they are delivered to the patient care area, automated dispensing unit or satellite pharmacy location.
• Mobile Computing— AutoPharm 3 takes maximum advantage of mobile computers to extend system functionality beyond static workstations. By placing mobile computers into the hands of technicians and couriers, AutoPharm provides improved safety and efficiency for stocking, picking, returns and delivery activities.
• Productivity Reporting—AutoPharm 3 provides enhanced productivity tracking and reporting. By capturing data for each step of the medication fulfillment process, including delivery, AutoPharm can provide valuable insights to optimize workflow and staffing, to improve nursing satisfaction, order turn-around times and work allocation.
“The chain-of-custody issue particularly resonates with directors of pharmacy, because it provides an audit trail for medications that have left the central pharmacy,” Torina said. “Following safety improvements, pharmacists seek efficiency benefits. AutoPharm 3 brings a rhythm to pharmacy workflow that helps ensure that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians alike can find their work focused and fulfilling, putting their knowledge and skills to best use.”
Integrating pharmacy and data systems
Most hospitals have layers of existing data systems, including hospital information systems and pharmacy systems, many of them manufacturer proprietary, that need to share information to accomplish house-wide medication ordering, fulfillment and tracking. AutoPharm 3 continues to provide the widest integration platform in the pharmacy automation category, working with all brands of hospital information, pharmacy automation, storage, dispensing and barcode scanning systems.
AutoPharm 3 drives Talyst’s market-leading line of pharmacy automation components, including AutoCarousel™, AutoPack™, AutoLabel® and AutoCool™, to provide coordinated workflow efficiencies. The platform manages the ordering, receiving, barcoding, stocking, picking and returns functions for medication management. It can dramatically reduce the time required to fill automated dispensing units or patient-specific carts, while providing multiple barcode safety checks throughout the process. AutoPharm has been proven in multi-site configurations, providing support for remote hospitals and clinics.
According to the ASHP, nearly 20 percent of United States hospitals are now using bedside barcode scanning to ensure safety and accuracy of medication administration. “Look for bedside medication scanning to become the standard of care that patients, their family members and communities expect,” Torina continued. “With most hospitals on the verge of this significant improvement, Talyst is focused on helping pharmacists create efficiencies within their pharmacies, so they can cost-effectively support the additional workload required of them to implement this standard of care.”
About Talyst
Talyst enables the intelligent pharmacy. The company provides automated systems to hospitals and other centralized pharmacies, to improve accuracy and patient safety, while reducing costs and increasing productivity. Talyst equipment and its AutoPharm software are used to package, barcode, store and track drug inventories. For more information, see www.talyst.com or call 877-4-Talyst (877-482-5978).
Inc. magazine this year named Talyst to the “Inc. 500” ranking of America’s fastest-growing private companies, and for the third consecutive year, the company was among the fastest growing companies in Washington State. It was also honored by Fast Company magazine’s “Fast 50 Reader Favorites” list, honoring innovative, progressive enterprises.
Talyst, AutoPharm and Engineering the Intelligent Pharmacy are trademarks of Talyst Inc. Other trade names are the property of their respective owners.