Implementation and evaluation of a sterile compounding robot in a satellite oncology pharmacy

The purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of robotic technology on efficiency, accuracy, and cost in a satellite oncology pharmacy.

A 33-week quasi-experimental study was conducted at an academic, quaternary care institution with 1,119 licensed beds from June 2016 to February 2017 to evaluate the turnaround time (TAT) for preparations compounded by automated robotic compounding technology (ARCT) versus historical procedures. Secondary endpoints included mean preparation time and percentage of doses with a TAT of <30 minutes before and after the implementation of ARCT and were evaluated using time-segmented regression analysis. The cost savings in the satellite oncology pharmacy was determined by comparing usage of closed-system transfer devices (CSTDs) and labor costs between study phases. Accuracy of the intervention was expressed through a descriptive analysis of mean ARCT dose preparation deviations and preparation failures.

Data for 1,453 preparations were included for analysis. The mean ± S.D. preimplementation TAT was 64.1 ± 27.9 minutes, which decreased to 53.2 ± 32.2 minutes after ARCT implementation (p < 0.01). Financial benefit was demonstrated through supply cost savings. Breakeven was estimated at 8.6 years after capital expenditure, with an annualized projected savings of $129,477. The mean ± S.D. deviation of the doses compounded using ARCT was -0.58% ± 0.01% from the ordered dosage.

Adoption of ARCT for compounding of admixtures containing 4 oncology agents reduced TAT and preparation time and led to lower expenditures for CSTDs.