In the world of healthcare, every detail matters. From the moment a patient is admitted to the hospital until they are discharged and continue their recovery at home, a complex system is at work. One of the most critical parts of this system is medication management. Errors in this area can have serious consequences, from adverse reactions to a higher risk of hospital readmission. At adherent360, we’ve dedicated ourselves to solving this problem by harnessing the power of technology to improve patient safety and support the goals of the CMS readmission reduction program.
The journey to a better healthcare system begins with a close look at the challenges. Let’s explore how an automated drug dispensing system can transform medication delivery and help hospitals achieve better outcomes for their patients.
The Problem with the Old Way of Doing Things
For a long time, medication dispensing was a manual process. A nurse or a pharmacist would pull medications from a shelf, count them, and prepare them for a patient. While these professionals are highly trained and skilled, this process is prone to human error. Mistakes can happen, and even a small one can lead to big problems.
Consider these scenarios:
- A patient is discharged but doesn’t get their take-home prescription filled on time, leading to a gap in their treatment.
- A nurse is busy and accidentally gives a patient the wrong dose of a medication.
- A patient receives a medication at discharge that interacts negatively with another drug they are already taking.
These issues are not just inconvenient; they can directly contribute to patients getting sick again and having to be readmitted to the hospital. This is a significant problem that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has been working to address.
What is the CMS Readmission Reduction Program?
The CMS readmission reduction program is a national initiative aimed at improving the quality of patient care. It encourages hospitals to reduce avoidable readmissions by focusing on better care coordination and communication. In simple terms, CMS penalizes hospitals with higher-than-expected rates of readmission for certain conditions, such as heart failure and pneumonia.
The program’s goal is to incentivize hospitals to ensure patients are well-prepared to manage their health after they leave the hospital. A major factor in successful recovery is making sure patients take the right medications at the right time. This is where an automated drug dispensing system becomes a powerful tool.
How an Automated Drug Dispensing System Works
An automated drug dispensing system is a technological solution that automates the process of storing, dispensing, and tracking medications. Think of it as a smart, secure medication cabinet that works in sync with a hospital’s electronic health record (EHR) system.
Here’s a look at how it helps streamline the medication workflow:
- Prescription Verification: When a doctor orders a medication, the order is entered into the EHR. The automated system then verifies the order against the patient’s record to check for potential drug interactions or allergies.
- Secure Dispensing: The system securely stores a wide range of medications. When a nurse needs to administer a dose, they can access the specific medication required for that patient. This prevents the wrong medication from being picked and ensures the correct dose is dispensed every time.
- Real-Time Tracking: Every medication transaction is tracked. This creates a clear audit trail, so hospitals always know who accessed what medication and when. This helps prevent medication diversion and ensures compliance.
- Discharge Automation: This is where our solution at adherent360 truly shines. Our systems can dispense take-home medications directly to the patient at the point of care, such as the hospital bedside or emergency department.
This seamless, automated process drastically reduces the chances of errors that can lead to readmissions.
The Adherent360 Difference
At adherent360, we’ve designed our automated drug dispensing system with the patient’s entire journey in mind. We go beyond simple dispensing to provide a comprehensive solution that addresses the core reasons for medication-related readmissions.
Our technology is specifically built to support the goals of the CMS readmission reduction program. Here’s how we help:
- Medication Reconciliation at Discharge: Our system ensures that the discharge prescription is accurate and that the patient receives the correct medications before they leave the hospital. This prevents the common problem of patients not getting their prescriptions filled in time after discharge.
- Improved Adherence: When patients receive their take-home medications before they even leave the hospital, they are much more likely to start their treatment plan on time. Our system can also be used in an outpatient setting, making it easier for patients to get their refills and stay on track with their treatment.
- Reduced Human Error: By automating the dispensing process, we significantly reduce the risk of a nurse or pharmacist making a mistake. This means patients get the right medication, at the right dose, at the right time.
- Enhanced Data and Analytics: Our system provides valuable data on medication usage and patient adherence. Hospitals can use this information to identify trends and improve their care coordination strategies, further supporting their CMS goals.
We are proud to partner with health systems, hospitals, and clinics to provide a solution that not only improves patient outcomes but also helps them meet financial and regulatory requirements. Our goal is to make healthcare safer, more efficient, and more effective for everyone involved.
Partnering for a Healthier Future
The healthcare landscape is always changing, and technology is at the forefront of that change. By implementing an automated drug dispensing system from adherent360, healthcare facilities can take a proactive step toward a future with fewer readmissions and better patient care.
If you are a healthcare professional looking for a way to improve your medication management process, streamline your workflow, and enhance patient safety, we would love to talk to you. The well-being of your patients is your top priority, and it’s ours, too.
Contact us today to learn more about how our system can help you achieve your goals and make a real difference in the lives of your patients.
