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A NEWLY installed robot is helping Worthing Hospital pharmacy staff to dispense the 800 prescriptions needed by patients every day and to supply more than 1,000 packs of stock directly to wards.
The MACH4 automated dispensing system means patients will get their prescriptions faster.
Also, because the robot is able to match the bar code to the request, the hospital says dispensing errors will be reduced.
Head of pharmacy, Saffron Mawby, said: "It is a fantastic piece of equipment which will improve our efficiency and the service we offer our patients.
"Our trained staff will be able to focus their attention on the more complex prescriptions and the robot will look after the simple ones."
With a storage capacity of 35,000 packs and 1,500 different lines, the robot can dispense up to 1,800 packs an hour – that's a pack every two seconds.
The pharmacy technician or assistant simply inputs the prescription details onto the computer and the robot arm searches for the item delivering it to the technician via a chute at the desk.
Previously, the technician or assistant would have to manually look for the item on the shelves.
Pharmacy staff will oversee the robotised process to ensure there are no errors.
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