Question

How do pharmacies use information systems to dispense medications?

Answer 1

In the hospitals , Pharmacies using an information system that usually coordinated with computer physician order entry (CPOE) system that enables the transformation of information regarding physician ordered drugs to the pharmacies quickly and then the pharmacists dispense the medications as per order easily.

Pharmacies are using this information system to match the particular orders with the available pharmaceutical products When prescribed orders are received.

It is also enables to print out prescription labels and instructions on how medication should be taken based on the prescription.

Tracking of all prescriptions passed through this system from who prescribed, when prescribed and when dispensed also possible.

Pharmacies using the information system to maintain an inventory of all available pharmaceutical products and it provides alerts, when the quantity of an item is lower than the set quantity and recommends the ordering of the particular item with the appropriate quantities.

Pharmacy Information Systems generate reports regarding medication usage patterns in the hospital. By using this information the pharmacists manage the stocks and orders which enables to dispense the item within the given time period.

Pharmacy information system also contains the information regarding the any issues relating to the appropriate dosage and the patient’s age, weight and other physiologic factors. so the pharmacists gets alerts and flags when the system picks up any of these.

Information system also involved in recording and reporting , so it is helpful for auditing and also track the patients regarding allergy history etc..

Using this Information systems in the pharmacies helps to decrease the medication error, report the use of drugs, tract costs and to ensure the patient safety.