Quality & Patient Safety

ISMP survey shows that automated medication dispensing cabinets only safest when used correctly

Patient Safety Monitor Alert, January 30, 2008

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More than 800 people responded to a survey from the Institute for Safer Medication Practices about automated dispensing cabinets (ADC). Of those surveyed, 94% said they used the devices to dispense medications. Some of the findings indicate that although use of these cabinets can make dispensing medications safer, the added safety only occurs when the cabinets are used correctly.

One third of respondents said that they often had to wait in line to retrieve medications from an ADC, and 48 % of respondents said the ADCs are not always located in distraction-free areas. Pharmacists did check the ADCs' stock medications before leaving more often in 2007 than they did in 1999 (currently 75% of the time, in 1999 that number was at 65% of the time).

To read the full report, click here.



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