Pharmacy Automated Dispensing System (ADS)

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH) is looking to replace its existing Pharmacy Automated Dispensing System (ADS) to improve the efficiency and safety of the automatic dispensing process, improve stock holding volumes, and input and output vales.

The pharmacy department issues approximately 37,000 inpatient, outpatient, and discharge items a month, which is an equivalent of 9,250 per week.

The pharmacy department also issues approximately 20,000 ward stock items per month, equivalent to 5,000 items issued per week.

Over 200 unique items are delivered daily from wholesalers and suppliers, originating from 6500 ordered items a month.

The NNUH Pharmacy Department currently uses System C (previously known as JAC) as the pharmacy stock control system (PSC) and dispensing software.

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Pharmacy department and James Paget University Hospital (JPUH) Pharmacy department (Great Yarmouth) share PSC software (System C (JAC)) on a locality basis, and this would require an interface with any future ADS system.

Both NNUH and JPUH will be acquiring an electronic patient record (EPR) supplied by Meditech (Expanse) in the future and there may be a requirement for an interface with the EPR supplier.

SOLUTION The supplier is asked to provide a solution for pharmacy dispensing and ward stock top-ups as well as a cabinet for the storage and dispensing of controlled drugs.

The supplier MUST be responsible for ascertaining interface requirements from System C (JAC)

The supplier is required to provide System C (JAC) with information and technical advice / support throughout the project.

The supplier MUST be responsible for liaising with System C (JAC) to resolve all interface issues between the ADS and pharmacy software.

The technical requirements of the specified system MUST be specified to include all power requirements, including computer and network connections. Please provide any details of electrical works and data network requirements for the normal functioning of the ADS.

The environmental conditions required for system operation MUST be supplied. The proposed ADS will be set in a temperature-controlled environment, however, to cover temperature excursions, information regarding operating conditions for temperature, heat and humidity must be supplied.

The supplier should be able to produce bespoke or standardised reports on request by the Trust. Details surrounding available reports should be provided, including any additional costs for bespoke reports.

The ADS MUST meet regulatory compliance for the identification, handling, and storage of data, including GS1.

The service life of the proposed ADS should provide full operating capacity for the life of the contract, with the option of upgrades due to development of technology and innovation.

The Pharmacy department would like to utilise automatic labelling applications (dispensing) technology to improve safety, efficiency, and accuracy, whilst not reducing the output speed to ward boxes. Please state the maximum speeds obtainable, and how this will be achieved.