Since West Lincoln Memorial Hospital has opened the doors, patients and staff alike discover advancements in every corner, designed to elevate care and enhance efficiency. One of the most significant transformations has taken place behind the scenes, within our new pharmacy department, where cutting-edge automation is redefining medication management.
Imagine a world where every medication is precisely managed, from storage to dispensing, with unparalleled accuracy and speed. This isn’t a futuristic dream; it’s the new reality at our hospital, thanks to the integration of two revolutionary systems: the Swisslog Box Picker and the Parata ATP.
The Swisslog Box Picker (The Warehouse)
Think of this as the “automated library” for pharmacy. Instead of shelves where humans walk around, the inventory comes to you.
Function: It is a high-density storage system designed for “odds and ends” – items that are oddly shaped, refrigerated, or come in boxes, vials, and bags.
How it works: A robotic arm maneuvers inside the “boxy structure” to retrieve specific containers based on your request at the terminal.
Inventory Examples:
Vials: Furosemide, Pre-filled Syringes: Dalteparin, Bags: Metronidazole, Topicals: Tubes of Clotrimazole.
The Parata ATP (The Packager)
While the Box Picker handles “pre-packaged” items, the ATP is a high-speed production machine for loose tablets and capsules.
Function: It automates the “Unit Dose” process. It takes bulk medication and turns it into a serialized, labeled strip.
The “Strip” Format: Instead of a plastic baggy or a bottle, you get a continuous roll of pouches. Each pouch is perforated, allowing you to tear off exactly what you need.
Labeling: Each individual pouch is printed with the drug name, strength, patient name, and a barcode for bedside scanning.The Parata ATP (The Packager)
While the Box Picker handles “pre-packaged” items, the ATP is a high-speed production machine for loose tablets and capsules.
Function: It automates the “Unit Dose” process. It takes bulk medication and turns it into a serialized, labeled strip.
The “Strip” Format: Instead of a plastic baggy or a bottle, you get a continuous roll of pouches. Each pouch is perforated, allowing you to tear off exactly what you need.
Labeling: Each individual pouch is printed with the drug name, strength, patient name, and a barcode for bedside scanning.
Partnering in Innovation
The installation of this state-of-the-art equipment marks a bold new chapter for our hospital, but our journey toward excellence does not end here. As medical technology evolves at a rapid pace, staying at the forefront of innovation requires a community that believes in the power of modern medicine.
We invite you to be a part of this ongoing transformation. Your generous support of the Foundation allows us to continue investing in the next generation of life-saving tools and advanced technology. Together, we can ensure that our pharmacy—and every department within these walls—remains equipped to provide the safest, most efficient, and most compassionate care possible.
