Why PCS?
For many years, the Care Home sector has battled relentlessly to address medication issues. Poor medication management and administration accounts for a large number of errors which adversely affect patient care.
It is estimated that 5% of all hospital admissions are a result of avoidable harm. This is the same percentage as that of cancer and costs the NHS around £500 million per year.
It is also estimated that some 10% of the entire NHS drugs budget is lost through drug waste, part of which is due to mismanagement and inappropriate prescribing. The Commission for Social Care Inspectorate (CSCI) in recent reports have cited medication management as one of the main failings by Care Homes in the UK. Patients are sometimes given the wrong medication, medication not belonging to them, medication in the wrong doses, or no medication at all.
CSCI have identified poor procedures, lack of communication and information and the high risk of human error, amongst some of the causes.
Pharmacy Plus has gone further to recognise that practical issues play a key part. Constant distractions during the drug round process and the reliance upon paper based systems for all medication management, are fundamental factors that contribute to the problem.
The Complete Solution
The PCS is a highly advanced integrated medication management and storage system specifically designed to address the key issues.
Electronic Drug Administration
The PCS, with its intelligent programming, calculates which medicines are due to be given for each patient and when. These are clearly shown on the easy to use screens. Each time a medication is given, PCS records the exact time it was given along with who gave it and even the packet that was used. The PCS also caters for recording Homely remedies, Pulse readings and features a full electronic Controlled Drugs register.
Barcode Validation
Using the specially generated barcodes supplied with all Pharmacy Plus medicines, the PCS ensures administration of the correct medication. The system includes patient verification, drug and dose validation using barcodes specifically designed to increase patient safety. PCS users are warned against potential mistakes including; expired drugs, incorrect dose and time and also administering the wrong drug to the wrong patient.
Automated Stock Control
The PCS calculates the stock usage and requirements for each drug. Whether ordering the monthly drugs or an individual item, it can be done accurately and electronically at the press of a button. The PCS barcode scanner simplifies the otherwise time consuming task of booking in stock.Returning stock is just as simple. The PCS continues to monitor stock levels and alerts staff when stock is running low so medication can be replenished well in advance of the medicine running out.
Complete Storage System
Medicines Management is not just about administration. For effective control of stock it needs to be easy to find. The PCS Trolley has been specially designed to store patient medication in an organised way. It can hold up to 40 drawers at any one time with each drawer catering for most patients’ medication. The unique Utility Compartment ensures everything used on a drug round is available on hand saving trips back and forth from the treatment room. To give the ultimate in ease of use, the PCS trolley is fully motorised, moving with just a press of a button.
How it works
The PCS is a unique system designed to enhance patient safety, improve Care Home performance and reduce NHS costs. The PCS gives healthcare professionals a complete solution to improve the quality of life for patients.
The Benefits
The PCS is a unique system designed to enhance patient safety, improve Care Home performance and reduce NHS costs. The PCS gives healthcare professionals a complete solution to improve the quality of life for patients.
Join Our Service
Remember, most of our products and services are FREE and joining Pharmacy Plus costs nothing as well. We will also make it very easy, and you can be assured of seamless transfer from your current supplier.