UMass Memorial Automates Hazardous IV Preparations with McKesson

CytoCare Expected to Improve Accuracy, Efficiency and Pharmacist Safety

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- UMass Memorial Medical Center in Massachusetts has selected the CytoCare robot from McKesson to automate the compounding of intravenous (IV) drugs. The robotic technology will enable the 830-bed facility to more safely prepare hazardous IVs, protecting both their patients and their staff from exposure risks.

“Our pharmacy manually compounds about 4,800 IV products each month, and 11 pharmacists are dedicated to hazardous IV preparations,” explained Roy Guharoy, Pharm.D., chief pharmacy officer and professor of medicine at UMass Memorial. “We were looking for a solution to ensure the right drug, dose and integrity of the product compounded, while preventing staff exposure to hazardous drugs. CytoCare provides just that.”

CytoCare is the first and only automation solution for compounding hazardous IVs used for chemotherapy and monoclonal antibody therapy. It enables better patient care by significantly reducing the potential for manual compounding errors. The CytoCare solution is designed to improve staff safety by minimizing exposure to hazardous medications, and it increases efficiency by enabling optimal workflow. “Our decision to implement CytoCare supports our hospital’s goals of achieving excellence in patient safety and optimal patient outcomes,” added Alice Shakman, vice president of operations at UMass Memorial.

In addition to enhancing patient and pharmacist safety, CytoCare improves workflow efficiency while reducing costs so that valuable pharmacy resources can focus on other critical tasks. Its HL7 interfaces and intuitive software streamline order management and provide visibility into the work list, enabling pharmacists to effectively manage throughput and optimize medication usage.

The CytoCare solution also improves workflow by enabling pharmacies to more efficiently plan compounded sterile preparation schedules and coordinate resources. The product’s continuous production flow feature will help UMass Memorial comply with quality standards and safety regulations.

“For many hospitals, compounded IVs are the last gap in the pharmacy automation process,” said Stanton McComb, president, McKesson Automation. “We are extremely pleased to have been selected by UMass Memorial Medical Center, and we look forward to helping them to protect both their patients and their pharmacy staff.”

More information about the CytoCare robot is available at www.cytocare.info.

CytoCare is a registered trademark of Health Robotics, s.r.l.

About UMass Memorial Medical Center

UMass Memorial Medical Center is the region's trusted academic medical center, committed to improving the health of the people of Central New England through excellence in clinical care, service, teaching and research. As the hub of an integrated health care system, UMass Memorial is proud to partner with four community member hospitals: Clinton Hospital, HealthAlliance Hospital, Marlborough Hospital and Wing Memorial Hospital.

In addition, UMass Memorial is the clinical partner of the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Through this relationship, UMass Memorial physicians and staff teach tomorrow's physicians, nurses and other health care professionals. They also participate in research efforts that bring patients the very latest diagnostic and treatment protocols.

The Medical Center includes three campuses located in Worcester: University Campus, Memorial Campus and Hahnemann Campus. In addition, the network of care includes community-based physician practices, home health, hospice, rehabilitation and behavioral health services.

Pharmacists at the Medical Center are members of numerous physician led patient care teams. In addition to offering the largest post-doctoral residency training program in the New England area, it serves as the major hub for clinical training of students from University of Rhode Island and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy.

About McKesson

McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 14th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and improving the quality and safety of patient care. Over the course of its 177-year history, McKesson has grown by providing pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients. For more information, visit http://www.mckesson.com.



CONTACT:

McKesson
Yancey Casey, 404-338-2468
[email protected]

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INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Technology  Software  Health  Hospitals  Pharmaceutical

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