Hospital Streamlines Its Operations From The Pharmacy To The Point Of Care

Smaller hospitals, like Tri-County Hospital (now known as Lexington Regional Health Center), a 25-bed critical access hospital in rural Lexington, NE, face unique challenges. Most technologies — EMR software, mobile computer workstations, automated dispensing cabinets and others — are designed for large facilities and do not readily scale down to the budgets and specific needs of small hospitals.

In recent years, Tri-County Hospital, has sought to continually upgrade workflows and technology to improve the quality of care. An expanded inpatient pharmacy was needed to support the needs of expanded pharmacy services. Enhanced technology would need to play a key role in supporting quality care throughout the facility, including mobile computing workstations and point-of-care medication administration.

However, in reviewing options, Tri-County faced challenges in finding solutions that provided needed functionality, but could be scaled to their unique needs — and budgets — as a smaller hospital.

"Hospitals our size are overwhelmed by the cost and complexity when we look at many of the products on the market," said Donna Soflin, director of pharmacy. "It is very important to us that solutions can be adapted to our small-hospital setting and offer flexibility to adapt to changing needs."

Benefits Of Tri-County’s Solution:

• Enhanced access to medications for nurses and improved point-of-care medication dispensing
• Improved charge capture, billing and reimbursement
• Streamlined documentation with Metro Flo Series mobile workstations
• Efficient, flexible design for inpatient pharmacy can be adapted to changing needs