Pharmacy OneSource: How are you using MedBoard for medication tracking?

Kim Wicht: MedBoard is used for tracking all of our IV fluids that are going up to the patients, as well as one-time-only and first doses of PO meds and bulk meds -- your inhalers, creams and ointments, etc. The majority is our IV products and that's where MedBoard comes in the most handy. The nurses are able to see where in the process the med that they're looking for is at. We scan the labels several times after they initially print, according to the process (preparing, waiting for delivery, delivery in process, sent via tube or delivered at unit) and what type (routine, STAT, Chemo, etc) of med/order it is. Once delivered to the unit, we either scan the IN box or the med fridge. When we get a nursing call looking for a specific med, it's so easy to track and find out where exactly the med is. It's fantastic. Our goal for turnaround time for STAT medications is to be delivered within 30 min of receiving the order (we've shown in the past to average 18-20 min). NOW/ASAP orders are delivered within 60 minutes. We have the times set in MedBoard so that STAT meds turn yellow on our screens at 20 minutes and red at 30 minutes. NOW/ASAP meds turn yellow at 45 minutes and red at 60 minutes.

Pharmacy OneSource: What successes have you seen so far with MedBoard with either cost or time savings?

Kim Wicht: MedBoard definitely helps a lot! This program helps us stay on target with our turn-around times for medication delivery; as well as allowing nursing staff to see when to expect their Patient’s medications to be delivered. It also helps with cost-savings, by decreasing a duplicate med being sent up if the initial med could not be found. If this happens, we are able to refer to MedBoard right away to locate that initial dose, instead of having to spend time searching for the med or preparing a duplicate medication.

Pharmacy OneSource: What do you like best about MedBoard?

Kim Wicht: The program is fantastic, I couldn't be happier with being able to track the medication itself. I like the efficiency that it provides by tracking each item throughout the entire process. MedBoard provides a lot of valuable information for both nursing and pharmacy; and helps with cost and time savings throughout the departments.

Pharmacy OneSource: Any other comments you'd like to make about MedBoard or Pharmacy OneSource:

Kim Wicht:  Pharmacy OneSource is a great company with excellent customer service.  I can't say enough about MedBoard, I think it's a great program. It's right along the same lines as FedEx and UPS, allowing you to track every item. When you're dealing with medications, it can be very expensive and you need to get those meds to the patient in a very efficient, timely manner. MedBoard is definitely a huge benefit. The staff at Pharmacy OneSource has been awesome. They have been on the spot, getting me information or tips -- not only on MedBoard but all of the other programs that we utilize with this company. I'm very pleased with everything that I've seen from this company. It is fantastic to be able to send your staff an email and get a helpful response right away.

Participant:
Kim Wicht, Pharmacy Technician Supervisor
Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center -- Phoenix, AZ

If you would like to contact Kim Wicht regarding this interview, please e-mail pr@pharmacyonesource.com and we will forward your questions.