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Workload and availability of technology in metropolitan community pharmacies
Grant H Skrepnek1, Edward P Armstrong, Daniel C Malone
1Center for Health Outcomes and PharmarcoEconomic Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, 1703 East Mabel Street, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. skrepnek@pharmacy.arizona.edu
Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : Japha
|April 11, 2006
Summary
Community pharmacies in the US utilize prescription processing technologies, with higher prescription volumes correlating with increased technology adoption. Independent pharmacies process more prescriptions per hour but use fewer technologies than chain pharmacies.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacy Practice and Management
- Health Informatics
- Pharmaceutical Technology
Background:
- Community pharmacies are essential in medication dispensing and patient care.
- Understanding workload and technology adoption is crucial for operational efficiency.
- Prescription processing technologies can impact pharmacy workflow and accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate workload characteristics in U.S. metropolitan community pharmacies.
- To identify the prevalence of prescription processing technologies in these pharmacies.
- To analyze the relationship between workload, technology, and pharmacy type.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional postal survey was conducted.
- Data were collected from 736 community pharmacy managers across 18 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas.
- The survey assessed pharmacy demographics, workload metrics, and technology utilization.
Main Results:
- Pharmacies processed an average of 1340 prescriptions weekly, at nearly 17 prescriptions per hour.
- Technology adoption was widespread, particularly for automated counting devices and telefacsimile machines.
- Independent pharmacies showed higher hourly prescription processing rates than chain pharmacies, despite similar or lower technology adoption.
Conclusions:
- Increased prescription volume is associated with higher processing rates and greater technology availability.
- Most pharmacies employ at least one automated prescription processing technology and telecommunication system.
- Independent pharmacies achieve higher efficiency but utilize a narrower range of technologies compared to chains.
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