Scaling Automation

Mpato Mokobori

Pharmaceutical Clinical Support in Gauteng

The Numbers of Pharmaceutical Shortfalls in Gauteng

• Pharmacist Ratio WHO Standard 1/2300• Gauteng Ratio 1/3,897• Current vacancies in pharmacy staff 17%• Professional Nurse Students - 1,054 vacancies out of 4706

posts (22%)

Loading stock at HJ Hospital

Outputs from Phase IThemba Lethu Clinic at the Helen Joseph Hospital

• Full stock control from bulk storage through to patient dispensing, eliminating stock theft.

• Reduction in patient waiting times from 3 hours and 38 minutes to less than 30 minutes.

• A reduction in the required daily dispensing hours in the pharmacy from 11.5 hours to 8.5 hours.

• In the first six months the pharmacy has reduced the staff requirement by 40% for re-deployment. E.g. ward rounds

Engagement with DoH• National Level– Minister of Health– Director General of Health– DDG of Health – Chief Director of Pharmaceutical Services

• Provincial– MEC – (Political Head)– HOD – (Operational Head)– CFO for the province– Chief Director of Pharmaceutical Services

• Site– CEO Helen Joseph– CEO Steve Biko Academic

Engagement with SA Pharmacy Council

• Board Notice 50 (In Pharmacy Automation)– RTC wrote initial guidelines– Responded to public input process– Regulation in place since November of 2014

• Board Notice 49 (Remote Dispensing Units)– RTC wrote initial guidelines– Responded to public input process– Extended input date to June 2015– Expected regulations in place in August

Automation Design – Helen Joseph

Automation Design Steve Biko Academic

The Services of In- Pharmacy Automation

• Cost of Automation Capital• Infrastructure changes to pharmacy• Technical support – equipment servicing, repairs of automation,

preventative maintenance.• Cost of minor equipment, computers, scanners, printers• IT – support of all IT equipment and connectivity and back-ups• Pharmacy software set-up and on-going license fees and upgrades (TriMed

Hospital System).• Integration and maintenance of interface systems – Trimed-Mach4• Update of EDL coding system• Training and support of staff (including new staff and refresher training)• Pharmacists support of SOPs• 12 hour call centre support of all above support functions.• Enabling of 24 hour dispensing

Out of Pharmacy Automation through Pharmacy Dispensing

Units (PDU)• All pick-up points will be managed by on-site pharmacist, giving patients access to a

pharmacist which they don’t have at clinic sites.• Integrated data system between central dispensing and pick up points for reporting and

accountability. • All patients will receive integrated communication through SMS reminders and follow-up calls

for missed visits.

Solution Architecture

The Current PDU at Themba Lethu Clinic

Medicines Behind the PDU

Region D – Soweto (4 PDU Sites)

Region D – Naledi area

Region D – Jabulani area

Region D – Klipspruit area

Region D – Meadowlands area