Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital
The Challenge
When premix, RTA (ready-to-administer) drugs go on shortage, it results in having to resort to other sourcing or production methods — increasing complexity and risk, both in preparation and administration of IV drugs.
Supply chain disruptions were causing issues for Moses Cone caregivers. Outsourcing for some products led to restricted catalogs, look-alikes, limited labeling options, restricted allocations, and other issues. "It was very frustrating for the staff," said Kevin Hansen, Assistant Director of Pharmacy. "One day our anesthesiology staff would have a syringe in the tray, the next day they would have a vial. It was very disruptive and potentially unsafe."
The Solution
Moses Cone conducted a detailed evaluation and subsequent implementation strategy for IV robotic insourcing of compounded sterile products using Omnicell's Central Pharmacy IV Compounding Service. The subscription model included two IV robots with two dedicated technicians. Moses Cone also assigned an IV specialist technician and a quality assurance pharmacist to the operation.
Moses Cone sought to meet ISMP (Institute for Safe Medication Practices) best practice recommendations to maximally provide RTA syringes by standardizing on RTA drugs wherever possible. An analysis led the team to focus on batch production of 18 non-hazardous RTA preps that would have the greatest impact to patient safety. To build the business case, pharmacy teamed with internal financial analysts to build a cost accounting model to show a percent return at the drug level — including drugs, materials, labor, overhead, and other expenses.
The Impact
The IV Compounding Service enabled Moses Cone to enhance patient safety, improve efficiency, and reduce IV medication costs — achieving a 50% cost savings for select IV preparations. Specific benefits include regained control over the quality and quantity of IV dose preparation, significant decreases in drug waste, improved turnaround times in many OR case procedures, prevention of prep work by anesthesiologists/CRNAs, and extended BUD for select IV preparations.
"IV robotic insourcing allows us to protect our supply chain, to continue providing ready-to-administer products and to avoid switching to other products that could be less safe," said Hansen.
Visit Omnicell.com/IV-Room to learn more today.