Jerry Fahrni

Author: Jerry Fahrni

  • Update on AutoPharm software only pilot

    A couple of months ago we became a beta site for a Talyst AutoPharm software only solution. It’s not really a “software only” solution as it consists of a POS-X PC117 workstation, a Code CR3 scanner and a Zebra ZM400 printer, and of course Talyst’s AutoPharm software, but there are no carousels attached to it.
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  • Carousel technology article in AJHP

    AJHP: “Implementation and evaluation of carousel dispensing technology in a university medical center pharmacy (Am J Health Syst Pharm 2010 67: 821-829)

    Results. The estimated labor savings comparing the preimplementation and postimplementation time studies for automated dispensing cabinet (ADC) refills, first-dose requests, supplemental cart fill, and medication procurement totaled 2.6 full-time equivalents (FTEs). After departmental reorganization, a net reduction of 2.0 technician FTEs was achieved. The average turnaround time for stat medication requests using CDT was 7.19 minutes, and the percentage of doses filled in less than 20 minutes was 95.1%. After implementing CDT, the average accuracy rate for all dispense requests increased from 99.02% to 99.48%. The inventory carrying cost was reduced by $25,059.

    Conclusion. CDT improved the overall efficiency and accuracy of medication dispensing in a university medical center pharmacy. Workflow efficiencies achieved in ADC refill, first-dose dispensing, supplemental cart fill, and the medication procurement process allowed the department to reduce the amount of technician labor required to support the medication distribution process, as well as reallocate technician labor to other areas in need. ”

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  • Top blog posts and searches from last week

    I always find it interesting to see what brings someone to my website and what they decided to read once they get here. Most of the time it isn’t pharmacy related at all. Funny how that works.

    Most read posts over last week:

    1. Medscape Mobile for the BlackBerry – This has appeared at or near the top for the past couple of weeks. It’s a testament to how many healthcare professionals are still carrying BlackBerry devices.
    2. iPad + ClamCase = awesomeness? – This is funny. All I have to do is put the word “iPad” anywhere in a post and people flock to it.
    3. CPOE – Giving it some thought – CPOE is gaining some traction for sure.
    4. Cool Technology for Pharmacy – LXE Bluetooth Ring Scanner – I sat on this one for quite a while. Couldn’t decide if I wanted to blog about it or not.
    5. RxCalc 1.1 now available for the iPhone and iPod Touch – Similar to “iPad”. Put the word “iPhone” somewhere in the post and people will find it.
    6. “What’d I miss?” – Week of May 23, 2010
    7. Cool Technology for Pharmacy – This was before I started putting the name of the cool technology in the blog title. This particular post was from Jun 18, 2009 and covered Alaris Smartpumps.
    8. Best iPhone / iPod Touch Applications for Pharmacists – Ibid, iPhone & iPad. It’s been a while. I should really update this information.
    9. Curriculum Vitae – I see this show up high up on the list occasionally. I believe young pharmacists are looking for an example of how to compose a CV. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to write one; still don’t know if I have it right. I can never figure out how much information to include or what should be excluded.
    10. “What’d I miss?” – Week of May 17,2010

    Top searchterm phrases for last week

    1. “medscape.com/blackberry”
    2. “autopharm”
    3. “alaris”
    4. “jerry fahrni”
    5. “black cloud”
    6. “cloud computing”
    7. +”magnetic resonance imaging” + “cool image”
    8. “alaris infusion pump”
    9. “dell xt”
    10. “carousel for meds” tied with “medscape mobile”

  • iPad + ClamCase = awesomeness?

    There is no question that the iPad has met the expectations of most. Crud, probably exceeded the expectation of many. It certainly has redefined the slate category and is on its way to rewriting the history of that class of tablets. Apple wisely built a device that is easy to use, has an incredibly user friendly interface and is simply great for watching movies, surfing the web and consuming textual information, i.e. ebooks. For me, however there is one thing that’s missing, a keyboard.
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  • New edition of “Keys to EMR/EHR Success” available

    EMR Daily News: “Greenbranch Publishing announces the Second Edition of the breakthrough book for practices eager to minimize the costs, confusion and outright risks of choosing and implementing an Electronic Medical Record system. Keys to EMR/EHR Success: Selecting and Implementing an Electronic Medical Record, 2nd Edition by Ronald Sterling, CPA, MBA, paperback, 304 pages, ISBN: 978-0-9827055-0-6, list price – $139.00

    The 1st Edition of Keys to EMR Success, was the HIMSS Book of the Year Award winner. In this revised Edition, nationally recognized expert Ron Sterling has included new chapters on EHR and Malpractice Risk, ARRA and Meaningful Use as well as detailed coverage of conversion issues for practices that have an old EMR.

    “There is no question,” says Sterling, “that the selection and implementation of an EHR is a ‘bet-the-practice’ proposition. If you fail, you end up with more costs and greater frustration. Yet, few practices will be able to avoid implementing EHRs.”

    I looked for the book in the usual places, i.e. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. I found the first addition, but no luck on the second. I even had hopes of finding it in electronic format for the Nook, Kindle or even the iPad. Nope. So if you want to purchase the book you’ll need to go directly to the Greenbranch Publishing website.

    While contemplating purchasing this book something occured to me. With the length of time it takes to publish a book, how relative would this material be to the current state of EHR/EMR implementation? Technology is moving at lightning speed. Maybe it’s time to consider a new way of disseminating information like this. Just a thought.

  • IntelliDose EHR integration

    CMIO: “Allscripts will integrate IntrinsiQ’s IntelliDose chemotherapy management tool into its EHR product suite as a new offering for physician practices.

    The Waltham, Mass.-based IntrinsiQ’s IntelliDose calculates and tracks the administration of chemotherapy treatments and will enable Allscripts’ multi-specialty and oncology clients to manage oncology patient care workflow, according to the company.

    Under the agreement, oncology practices will work with Allscripts account managers to coordinate with implementation and training specialists from the IntelliDose team. Integration of IntelliDose into Allscripts tools will enable Allscripts clients to select the add-on program to navigate patient records across both systems, IntrinsiQ stated. “

    This sounds like an interesting concept. I tried looking for detailed information on IntelliDose, but really couldn’t find much. Based on information at the IntrinsiQ website it appears that IntelliDose is a clinical decision support system designed specifically for chemotherapy. Based on the description, IntelliDose does many of the same things that a pharmacy information system does, i.e. checks for “body surface area limitations, patient allergies, and exceptional lab results” in addition to reviewing “dosage variables such as ideal weight, serum creatinine, and creatinine clearance.” Sounds like a pharmacist.

  • RxCalc 1.1 now available for the iPhone and iPod Touch

    After a week of sitting in iTunes store limbo, RxCalc 1.1 was finally approved and released for download yesterday afternoon. For those of you that don’t know about RxCalc, it is a pharmacokinetics calculator made by Apple Core Labs specifically designed to handle aminoglycoside and vancomycin kinetics, i.e. new starts and adjustments. It’s exciting for me because I was involved in the creation of the application. You can read more about what drove the idea and the development of RxCalc here if you’re interested.
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  • “What’d I miss?” – Week of May 23, 2010

    As usual there were a lot of things that happened during the week, and not all of it was pharmacy or technology related. Here’s a quick look at some of the stuff I found interesting.
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  • Cool Technology for Pharmacy – LXE Bluetooth Ring Scanner

    A recent conversation with Carla Corkern, CEO of Talyst, resulted in this week’s Cool Technology for Pharmacy.

    The LXE 8650 Bluetooth Ring Scanner is a pretty neat, albeit homely, piece of hardware. The device is designed with wearability in mind to provide the end-user with hands-free operation.

    The LXE 8650 consists of a ring scanner and a Bluetooth module. The Bluetooth module is attached to the wrist via a velcro strap and the ring scanner fits on the finger and is operated by a thumb trigger. The system is lightweight coming in at only 4.8 ounces (136 grams), and that includes the ring scanner, Bluetooth module, battery and wrist strap. The scanner is designed with a magnesium alloy housing so it can take a beating, something that is a necessity in the pharmacy. In addition to the magnesium housing the system is sealed to IP54 standards1 and can withstand multiple drops from up to 4 feet to concrete. Battery life appears to be pretty good and can deliver up to 17,000 scans on a single charge. I don’t know about your pharmacy, but that equates to more than 24 hours of continuous use before a charge is necessary.
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  • Microsoft: the good and the bad

    Microsoft has been in the news quite a bit lately, some of it good and some of it bad. The software giant has done everything from creating an incredible computing environment to building one of the most successful online gaming environments in history. And like most mega-companies they’ve collected their fair share of lovers and haters. With that said, it’s beginning to look like the haters are starting to out number the lovers.
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