State-of-the-art technology at Cortland Acres is helping physicians and nurses provide better quality of care and services to their residents.
The four-star skilled nursing and long-term care facility in Thomas recently acquired an automated medication dispensing system. The system, known as Omnicell, also manages and tracks residents’ prescriptions.
“We are very fortunate to have this type of technology at Cortland Acres because of the lack of a nearby pharmacy,” said Director of Nursing Robin Eye. “What used to take hours to get at our facility, now takes minutes to get.”
This medication dispensing technology is the only kind of its type in Tucker and Preston counties.
“The system is connected to a central pharmacy through our provider, Omnicare,” Eye explained. “When medications are low, the machine automatically notifies the provider’s pharmacy and we can be restocked in less than two hours. We never run out of medications.”
Barb Shahan, Nursing Manager and RN, said the technology is a time saver for the nursing staff and benefits residents. It enables the nursing staff to effectively track patient medications and to have faster access to first doses and to new medication orders.
“When we get a new resident we can immediately pull their medications,” she said. “Family members don’t have to worry about transporting prescription bottles. It also gives us faster access to emergency medications.”
Attending physicians can easily change a resident’s dosage and medication. The physician enters the changes into a database that automatically registers with the central pharmacy.
“There are no delays in making sure a resident receives their new medication,” Shahan said.
It allows for Cortland Acres to provide greater caregiver efficiency.
“The system is very secure and tracks what medications have been used and who used it,” Eye said. “Omnicare audits the system monthly making sure there are no expired medications.”
The automated medication dispensing system is very secure and only certain staff have access and can dispense prescription medication.
Cortland Acres includes a 94-bed long-term care facility, in- and outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation, Pineview Apartments and The Pines duplexes. For more information call 304-463-4181 or visit www.cortlandacres.org.
Cutline
Cortland Acres Director of Nursing Robin Eye using the automated medication dispensing system while Barb Shahan, Nursing Manager and RN, looks on. The system, known as Omnicell, manages and tracks residents’ prescriptions.