Robotic Pharmacy at Elmhurst Hospital.

Medication errors are among the most common medical mistakes. A report by the National Institute of Medicine estimated that as many as 1.5 million Americans are harmed by medication errors that occur at home and at health care institutions.

After investing more than $100 million in the last ten years, HHC is a front runner among US hospitals that have adopted computerized medication ordering system technology recognized as the most effective way to protect patients from life-threatening drug errors.

HHC is among an even smaller group of US hospitals that are leading the way to implement advanced clinical technology to cover the chain of medication delivery - from electronic physician orders to pharmacy robots and electronic medication administration to patient bracelet ID scanners that are used at the patient's bedside.

The electronic medication order systems at HHC virtually eliminate guessing games over illegible handwriting, inconsistent and confusing abbreviations. HHC's robotic pharmacy equipment can stock 500 different drugs and fills more than 200 orders every hour with amazing precision and speed. The robot displays the digital images of both the prescribed drug and the dispensed drug to allow the pharmacist achieve further accuracy by comparing size, color and shape. HHC will close the cycle of medication safety by implementing the use of an electronic device that scans bar codes from patient identification bracelets and medication labels. This technology will act as a fool-proof method to ensure the right medication is administered to the right patient in the right dose and with the right frequency.

Development of this system illustrates HHC's commitment to medication safety in our hospitals, where five million prescriptions are distributed to patients each year.