Reduce Dispensing Errors and Create Time for Counselling

An editorial in The Australian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy (Volume 31, No 2, 2001) included details from Australian and US studies. In an Australian survey, "...pharmacists overwhelmingly indicated that they thought the risk of dispensing errors was increasing". Conclusions from these studies highlighted that there is an immediate need to implement systems that will improve dispensing accuracy and the routine provision of care.

StockFlow specialised shelving is one system that can help pharmacists to achieve these aims. StockFlow shelving has been specifically designed to store high volume products, to improve storage and safe selection of medications, and to free up time for counselling.

StockFlow shelving in the Royal North Shore Hospital,
Sydney, NSW

How does StockFlow reduce dispensing errors?

StockFlow has 400mm deep sloping shelves that allow 60% more storage in the same wall length as non-specialised shelving.

The shelves are adjustable, which means less wasted space between shelves.

They pull out to make it easy to refill high volume dispensary stock and ensure simple, accurate date rotation.

Gravity feed allows stock to move from the back of shelves to the front, and shelf partitions make it easier to select stock, thus reducing the risk of dispensing errors.

How does StockFlow create time for counselling?

When you use StockFlow shelving it only takes two seconds to select 80% of items because the high volume products fill 80% of prescriptions. It also allows 60% more storage in the same wall length as non-specialised shelving so less time is spent walking, thus creating more time to counsel patients and provide pharmaceutical care.

The above information was published in the Australian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, Vol 31, No 8, August, 2001