Developing a pharmacy application using IBM's Patient Care System (PCS).

This article describes the development of a computerized pharmacy order entry system using IBM's Patient Care System software at a large teaching hospital. The pharmacy component is part of a hospital-wide order entry system that includes other departments such as dietary, radiology, central supply, and laboratories. Pharmacy orders are entered into the computer system at the patient care unit by secretaries or nurses and subsequently checked and supplemented by pharmacists in satellite pharmacies. The system produces a medication administration record for use by nursing that becomes a permanent part of the patient medical record. Pharmacy cassette fill lists, i.v. labels, and charge summaries are produced. Billing is automatically accomplished upon the completion of an order. Initial hardware problems have been resolved and the system has been fully operational for 2 years. Ongoing development seeks to enhance the system's range of functions.