Pharmacists say technology can improve care home services

Almost three quarters of pharmacists (72%) believe automation can improve care home services.

The survey findings are part of a new campaign by Omnicell UK to raise awareness of how technology can help improve patient safety and free-up pharmacists’ time.

Paul O’Hanlon, Managing Director of Omnicell UK & Ireland, said: “Technology plays a pivotal role in reducing medication errors and improving patient safety.

“Whilst the sector has been slow when compared to other industries in harnessing new technology solutions and recognising the benefits – it’s heartening to see that looking to the future there could be an increased focus on the issue, helping community pharmacies to survive in an ever-challenging market.”

Almost three-quarters of respondents (73%) believed there should be an increased focus on technology and innovation.

Two-thirds said introducing technology would help them pursue care home pharmacy contracts.

Pharmacists questioned believe that automation provided them with additional confidence in: patient safety (77%); providing patients with increased face to face time (75%); stock re-ordering (72%); and managing complex patient medication regimes (57%).