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Overview
FOCUS Projects funded by industry and government and involving the
development and/or evaluation of new systems for the distribution and
control of medications in hospitals, nursing homes, and community
pharmacies.
GOALS Patient safety, efficiency and improved outcomes of drug
Therapy.
APPROACH Utilizing faculty experts from pharmacy, nursing, medicine,
business, engineering, industrial design, architecture, psychology,
computer science, plus colleagues and firms from across the country to
reexamine the operations of healthcare practice involving medications.
Faculty & Staff
Services
 Systems analyses to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and reduce cost
Automation in hospitals, community pharmacies and nursing homes
New product development (e.g. automation, robotics, informatics)
Evaluative research
Reengineering the utilization of professional staff
Design of new facilities, and remodeling
Reduction and control of medication errors
Design/installation of error monitoring and control systems
Technology transfer via conferences to disseminate research results
Consultative services to healthcare providers
Notable Projects
Re-engineering the role of the pharmacist in a state mental health department
Dispensing errors and quality of counseling observed in 100 chain store pharmacies (with ABC News for 20-20
program).
Study of methodologies for measuring medication error rates. Study of medication errors in 36 healthcare facilities,
comparing three methods of detecting errors (observation, chart review, and incident reports).
Development of AU MEDS (Medication Error Detection System), an observation-based quality improvement and
benchmarking system, currently installed and operating in over 20 hospitals.
Development of the “Pharmacy of the Future” for the Eckerd Drug Chain, including designing, equipping and training
staff in two prototype stores in Atlanta. Components currently being implemented throughout chain.
Development and evaluation of pharmacy automation for dispensing in ambulatory pharmacies, and drug
distribution in hospitals, for the two market leaders.
Design of many hospital pharmacies across the North American continent; development of Systamodules pharmacy
fixtures, focus on ergonomic designs.
Lecture series research in medication errors in Hospitals conducted at the Harrison School of Pharmacy in Fall 2006.
Recent Projects
Auburn University Medication Error Detection System (AU MEDS)
Auburn University Medication Error Detection System (AU MEDS)
Impact of Installed Automation on Dispensing Accuracy
Development of a Telepharmacy System for the VA System
Efficiency of Medication Administration for a new Antifungal Drug
National Study of Dispensing Accuracy Observed in 50 Pharmacies
Study of Human Factors Related to Dispensing Accuracy
National Network for Monitoring and Reducing Medication Errors
Institute on Patient Safety from Errors via Automation and Design
Design of a Home Infusion and Compounding Center
Effect of pre-mixed I.V. drugs on errors and costs
Publications
Listed are some references that illustrate our capabilities and the work of our faculty and students.
Automation
Facilities Design
Medication Errors
Other
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