Things to Consider When Implementing IV Robotics

Dennis Killian, PharmD, PhD, Director of Pharmacy Services, Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, MD, discusses considerations when making the switch to IV robotics. This video was filmed at the 2019 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Summer Meeting in Boston.

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Dennis Killian, PharmD, PhD: For IV robotics, one of the big factors that we considered was the size of the device. Cleanroom space is pretty expensive, and if you're not remodeling your pharmacy you have to live within your existing infrastructure, so space is a big consideration. And that was a driving factor for us at Peninsula Regional. Another thing to consider is the cost of the device. There may be an up-front cost, which may have to go in the capital budget. There may be ongoing maintenance fees, so those need to be taken into account.

One interesting strategy now, which Omnicell offers, is that they offer a subscription model. And this is where you can lease the technology, but they also provide the personnel to run that particular device. And so with the lease for the technology and personnel you can kind of maximize your throughput that way, and that's an interesting approach.

Some of the other things we consider when we're selecting a vendor would be the ability to switch between different products and different IV bags. If you're using Baxter versus the B Braun bag, does the device have the capability to switch? Can it be done quickly? Can it be done on-site? That's something to consider. Some devices may be able to switch, but it may be a very cumbersome process for that to occur.