Print, prepare, check, and deliver a 24-hour supply of unit dose medication for 600 patients in one hour.

The development of a new drug delivery system featuring cost containment, increased accuracy, and savings of time was the goal of the hospital. Using an assembly line approach and preparing 24-hour medication supplies just prior to delivery, we are able to fill and check 600 patients' medications in one hour. Personnel requirements have been reduced and accuracy increased, resulting in cost effectiveness and improved patient care. The annual cost savings in a 600-bed hospital are $110,000, and time for clinical pharmacy projects has been created.