cover story
Going Mobile continued from page 28
was AmPharm’s pharmacy software, which is where Hopkins saw real opportunity to improve service by making a change, in this case to FrameworkLTC from SoftWriters. At the same time, he decided to add a mobile element, the company’s PharmScan product. The impact was immediate. “We’ve seen our efficiency greatly improved in the last seven or eight months,” says Hopkins. “Part of this is the new software and part is PharmScan, because of its mobility and accuracy.” According to Hopkins, PharmScan is a barcode-scanningdriven mobile extension of workflow. Currently, AmPharm is using the devices at the final check and toting stages, as well as for receiving. At final check, pharmacists are no longer tied to a workstation, but can
30
ComputerTalk
you are using the device right,” says Hopkins. The devices maintain a realFamily Health Center time wireless connection to FramePharmacy workLTC, which means that techniWaco, Texas cians are alerted if a prescription has Two pharmacies serve 10 sites in a been discontinued or has other issues federally qualified health system in outstanding, and so shouldn’t be deMcLennan County. One is part of the livered. The same connectivity allows federal 340B program, and the other the technicians to initiate printing of fills Medicaid and retail prescriptions. The health the delivery manifest, once a tote is system has in excess of properly loaded and closed out.
Glenn Rebber, R.Ph.
200,000 office visits a year from a patient base of about 45,000, and an average volume of 750 prescriptions a day.
Ultimately, according to Hopkins, PharmScan is moving barcode-driven workflow management out into AmPharm’s operations where and when it’s needed. “We’ve stopped double- and even sometimes triplego to where the prescriptions are instead, reducing bottlenecks. At the filling prescriptions because we didn’t toting stage, Hopkins has designated have a good record of our work when workflow technicians using the devices facilities called to say that something is missing,” he says. to make sure prescriptions are toted correctly. “It’s virtually impossible to continued on page 32 put something in the wrong tote, if