x10 Home Automation - Control Lights, Irrigation, Appliances

Patient Safety Drives Strong Memorial Toward Total Pharmacy Automation Solution

Denver, CO (PRWEB) December 4, 2007 -- The combination of patient safety, state-of-the-art technology, and improved efficiency in the pharmacy were driving forces behind the decision by Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester, Rochester, N.Y., to purchase a complete automated drug management solution by Swisslog, a leader in pharmacy automation.

"The decision was made to work with Swisslog due to their innovative technologic solutions which will increase the efficiency of operations from dockside to the bedside, while also providing opportunity for enhancing patient safety secondary to our ability to put much more consistent and integrated processes in place" said Curtis Haas, director of pharmacy at Strong Health, University of Rochester Medical Center. "The anticipated redesign of our daily workflow is also projected to enhance clinical opportunities for our pharmacist staff to positively affect patient care."

The hospital will install a PillPick® system, which automatically packages, stores and dispenses unit dose medications in bar coded packages. This system replaces Strong Memorial's existing storage and dispensing robot.

How does it work? After packaging from bulk to bar-coded, unit-dose form, the doses are automatically transferred to a high-density pharmacy robot that can hold up to 53,000 unit doses. Unit doses are then pulled from the robot into a unit that assembles patient-specific, 24-hour medication orders on a patented, flexible PickRing. Each PickRing can be arranged alphabetically or by order of administration and a large tag attached to each ring specifies the drug, administration time and other patient-specific information. PickRings are a unique method in which patient-specific drugs are assembled to ensure greater patient safety, as each dose is checked one last time for accuracy before dispensing.

The hospital is also installing two BoxPicker pharmacy store and pick systems. BoxPicker is a technologically advanced alternative to vertical carousels, offering increased safety, inventory security, as well as significant gains in efficiency. Strong Memorial will be the first installation of BoxPicker's refrigerated version, designed to replace pharmacy refrigerators and increase security for drugs requiring cold storage. This system is unique in the market as it provides the ability to automate picking and storage of refrigerated items.

BoxPicker stores and dispenses items in locked drawers, and allows access to only one drug at a time, ensuring secured access and greater safety. Software tracks inventory and access, and interfaces directly with hospital information system. Strong Memorial will benefit from a combined PillPick/BoxPicker software interface that will enable pharmacy staff to identify exactly were a particularly drug is stored. Plus, the BoxPicker system enables picks up to three times faster than carousels, greatly enhancing throughput and efficiency.

Under the terms of the agreement, Swisslog will provide training for pharmacy staff in the operation and basic maintenance of the system. You can learn more about the PillPick automated drug management system for hospital pharmacies by visiting Swisslog online at http://www.swisslog.com/hcs-index/hcs-systems/hcs-pharmacy.htm

About Strong Memorial Hospital

Strong Memorial Hospital is a 750-bed medical facility located at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, New York. Opened in 1926, it is owned and operated by the University of Rochester and serves as its primary teaching hospital. It is also serves as a primary community hospital and a Level 1 trauma center for the Rochester area.

The hospital has been consistently recognized for its medical leadership as one of "America's Best Hospitals" in U.S. News & World Report's annual survey. Various specialties have been singled out as among the best in the nation, including neurosciences, urology, gynecology, and pediatrics. Strong Memorial has received The National Research Corporation's "Consumer Choice Award" every year for all twelve years the award has been given.

About Swisslog

Swisslog is a global provider of integrated logistics solutions for warehouses, distribution centers and hospitals. Its comprehensive services portfolio ranges from building complex warehouses and distribution centers to implementing Swisslog's own software. In addition Swisslog provides intra-company logistics solutions for hospitals as well as software and consulting services in the field of supply chain management

Swisslog's solutions optimize customers' production, logistics and distribution processes in order to increase flexibility, responsiveness and quality of service while minimizing logistics costs. With years of experience in the development and implementation of integrated logistics solutions, Swisslog provides the expertise that customers in more than 50 countries around the world rely on.

Headquartered in Buchs/Aarau, Switzerland, Swisslog currently employs around 2 000 staff in 20 countries worldwide. The group's parent company, Swisslog Holding AG, is listed on SWX Swiss Exchange (security number: 1232462, Telekurs: SLOG, Reuters: SLOG.S). For more information, visit www.swisslog.com.

###

MORE ARTICLES:

SmartLabs Introduces HouseLinc 2 - INSTEON Desktop Software w/ USB Interface: Easy INSTEON and X10 Home Automation Control and Management from a PC
SmartLabs, Inc. announces the release of HouseLinc 2, the next generation of the award-winning the HouseLinc - INSTEON Desktop Software. Building on the original software designed for the management of INSTEON-compatible devices in the home, HouseLinc 2 includes new features like background link management, enhanced product support and an all new look. It is available as a kit for first time users or as a free upgrade kit for original HouseLinc owners. Each kit comes with a required HouseLinc 2-enabled INSTEON PowerLinc Modem.

Skylink, Leader in Wireless Automation Products, Announces INSTEON Motion Sensor
Skylink unveils the release of the Skylink INSTEON Wireless Motion Sensor, a battery powered motion detection module for indoor and outdoor applications. It reliably communicates via INSTEON radio frequency (RF) to turn INSTEON compatible devices or scenes on and off. Skylink has assigned Smarthome (www.smarthome.com) as Master Distributor.

Automate, Automate, Automate
The key to running a successful and efficient online business is to automate as much of your work as possible:Automate your order-taking process..

Cyber-Rain Expands Distribution Network, Now Available Through Home Automation Retailer Smarthome
Award-winning sprinkler control system saves users 30-70% on watering bills.

Windows Macro - Create Macros To Automate Common Tasks
Want to automate and record mouse clicks and keystrokes? Want a program that records macros on Windows OS?

Automated Forex software review
For the time being automated trading in forex is the buzzword.

Autonomic Controls Announces Touch Panel Software For Home Theater and Whole-House Audio
Autonomic Controls, the leading provider of media integration software for AMX, Crestron and HAI systems has announced a new product that enables remote access to digital music and video media using UMPC's and touch panels.

Automate Your Work Using Macro System Module
Every webstore owner should take online store solutions for updating hundreds and thousands of products. They has to be edited quite often, thus making your store flexible and up-to-date. Large and medium stores have a lot of products with similar descriptions, however you have to go over each product separately and edit every piece of text manually. This is how it used to be. Now, you may automate this time-consuming operation using Macro System by MagneticOne. This module allows you to change similar parts of text in product descriptions just with one click. It is especially useful if you are the owner of a large store with lots of products: the module will help you to change parts of multiple product descriptions at once.

Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) and Thornberry Ltd Announce Automated Interface between Healthcare Software Programs
Web interface enables SHP clinician-level analysis of NDoc® clinical point of care patient data. New automated web interface speeds the transfer of data from the NDoc clinical system to Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) software. Web services technology transfers OASIS assessments with clinician-level detail from NDoc to the SHP database.

Allied Home Mortgage Implements Automated Compliance Controls Across Hundreds of Branches with ComplianceEase Solutions
One of the nations largest mortgage broker networks automates its compliance risk management with state-of-the-art technology.

Control The Air Flow Of Your Home: Ceiling Fan Remote Control
If you market something that is effective but caters towards convenience then you are on a winner at the moment. People specifically buy convenient items for their household because they just want to unwind at home after a long and stressful day?s work. They do not want to be bothered with technical things anymore because their hectic lifestyle does not allow it. Take the TV remote control for example. Why get up to change the channel if you do not have to? They will pay anything for a little extra comfort, which is why the ceiling fan remote control has been such a hit!

Outdoor Motion Detectors & Motion Sensor Lights
Who goes there? In this day and age, it might not be feasible for you to hire a 24-hour watchman to guard your house or property, but we can provide you with the next best thing

Review Of Forex Killer - Automated Forex Trading Killer Review
We are all feeling the pinch today The word is out, the economy stinks and our "leaders' don't seem to have a clue

Motion Sensor Home Security Cameras
Many security cameras do not record well in the dark. This implies that a slinky presence can get away with any deed as long as the dark provides a shield. This is where a security camera with motion sensor comes in. The motion sensor triggers an automatic response as soon as it picks up a movement in its vicinity. Some of these cameras come equipped with floodlights that power up as soon as a motion is registered, flooding the area with light and catching the culprit in the act. This is further enhanced by the fact that a security camera with motion sensor often offers a connection to a TV or computer monitor. As soon as the sensor is triggered, images of the perimeter can be captured immediately.

Smarthome Hires TigerDirect Executive to Lead Home Automation Category: Bruce Matthews Joins Smarthome as Vice President of Marketing to
Smarthome, www.smarthome.com (http://www.smarthome.com), a SmartLabs, Inc., www.smartlabsinc.com (http://www.smartlabsinc.com), company and the world's leading provider of home automation products, has hired Bruce Matthews as vice president of marketing. Matthews joins SmartLabs from TigerDirect, www.tigerdirect.com (http://www.tigerdirect.com), where he was vice president of business development.