ATLANTA, July 19, 2013 – HealthTrust, a group purchasing and total cost-management solutions company representing more than 1,400 acute-care facilities, has renewed its contract with McKesson Automation, ensuring that its member hospitals and health systems have continued access to a full portfolio of central pharmacy and point-of-care pharmacy automation solutions and services. Additionally, McKesson will continue to offer HealthTrust member organizations a comprehensive menu of customizable pharmacy automation options. The options are designed to meet each facility’s unique requirements, helping the facilities manage their pharmacy operations and inventory more safely and efficiently.
Under the extended agreement, HealthTrust members have access to purchase central pharmacy solutions that deliver workflow efficiencies and better cost control. These solutions include the new MedCarousel vertical storage and retrieval system; the new MedShelf-Rx inventory management software; NarcStation narcotics control system; PACMED high-speed medication packager; PROmanager-Rx robotic dispensing system for unit-dose, oral solid medications; and the new ROBOT-Rx pharmacy robotic storage and dispensing system.
Point-of-care solutions include the AcuDose-Rx medication dispensing cabinet, which allows hospital nurses to dispense medications faster and more efficiently, while pharmacists have greater control over cabinet inventory management. AcuDose-Rx functions in any dispensing environment, and the exclusive RightStock feature automatically monitors and adjusts medication levels based on usage, helping to reduce costly stock outs and waste. Provisions of the contract also allow HealthTrust members to participate in a standardized implementation program that offers long-term, predictable total cost of ownership for medication dispensing cabinets.
“Today, HealthTrust’s hospital members can leverage a comprehensive, integrated set of pharmacy automation solutions while benefitting from HealthTrust’s purchasing efficiencies,” explained Kraig McEwen, president, McKesson Automation. “And as Automation accelerates its growth strategy, HealthTrust members will benefit from a host of new solutions that will address the next generation of challenges related to medication delivery.”
