The mobile medication cart as an adjunct to a centralized pharmacy service

At Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, a mobile medication cart was used as an adjunct to a centralized unit dose drug distribution system. The system was instituted to study the possible decrease in turnaround time between the writing of the drug order and the administration of the first dose to the patient. The study showed that there was a 39% increase in doses administered in less than 60 minutes with the cart. Also, availability of medication at the first scheduled administration time improved 11%. The study concluded that turnaround time and nursing trips to the pharmacy were reduced. The system improved clinical contact with doctors and nurses, and this had a direct effect on improving job satisfaction among the pharmacists.