Assessment of an automatic robotic arm for dispensing of chemotherapy in a 2500-bed medical center

Abstract

We conclude that even though CytoCare could ease the risk of chemotherapy exposure and increase the precision of dosing, it was not able to improve the FTE pharmacists/technicians in our hospital.

A three-year study of a first-generation chemotherapy-compounding robot

“…3,5 Our experience is similar to that reported by other users, 3,4 highlighting the importance of planning for downtime as part of the implementation of robotic automation. 2 The robot uses only specifically branded supplies.…”

“…During the three-year study, the number of patient-specific doses prepared by the robot in an approximately seven-hour shift rarely exceeded 50, which is comparable to the reported experiences of other users of robotic systems. 4,5 The average number of doses prepared by the robot in a seven-hour shift was comparable to the number manually produced in two to three hours by trained and experienced pharmacy staff. Other research indicates that the mean drug preparation time is increased at least twofold with the use of a robot versus a manual preparation process.…”

“…These technical issues could only be resolved by company engineers, who were not onsite after robot installation was completed; delays due to attempts to resolve these issues by locally trained engineers contributed considerably to robot downtime. Similarly, others have described the utilization of chemotherapycompounding robots with numerous mechanical or software failures associated with robotic preparation 3,4 that affected workflow [3][4][5] …”

“…antineoplastic medications. [2][3][4][5] One feature of robotic systems that offers an advantage over manual (i.e., volumetric measurement-based) preparation is the use of gravimetric measurements to precisely weigh the quantities of antineoplastic medications and other products needed to prepare a dose. The robot's accuracy is predetermined (a typical margin of error is ±5%); any preparation that exceeds the margin is rejected, or "failed."…”

“…1 An even smaller percentage of centers around the world have adopted chemotherapy-compounding devices in hospital pharmacy practice settings. 5 There may be many reasons for the very low rate of adoption of robotic chemotherapy-compounding devices for the preparation of i.v. antineoplastic medications.…”