Hidden Costs of Pharmacy Technology

Abstract

The Director's Forum series is designed to guide pharmacy leaders in establishing patient-centered services in hospitals and health systems. This month's article focuses on an important topic for hospital pharmacy leaders – understanding the true costs of pharmacy automation and technology. While there is tremendous value in automating workflow, it is important to fully understand the benefits and drawbacks of implementing automation. As expected, vendors commonly exaggerate the benefits of their products. The true impact of automation often affects other areas of operations and productivity. It is for this reason that a careful assessment and due diligence is prudent when any technology is selected.