Sakaeo Crown Prince Hospital Enhances Medication Safety for STAT Orders and Increases Operational Efficiency with the HAPYmed ADM System
Table of contents
- Challenges: Delays and Errors in Medication Dispensing
- 1. Delays in STAT Medication Delivery
- 2. Ward Stock Inaccuracy and Shortages
- 3. Frequent Dispensing Errors
- Solution: Installing HAPYmed ADM Near the ER and Inpatient Wards
- Key Results:
- System Integration: Streamlined Workflow, Fewer Errors
- Tangible Results
- Future Development and Expansion
- Key Success Factors
In recent years, Thailand’s public healthcare sector has increasingly prioritized improving the quality and efficiency of patient care—especially in government hospitals that often operate with limited resources.
Somdejphra Yuparat Sa Kaeo Hospital, a leading regional hospital, has proactively addressed critical issues such as STAT medication dispensing delays and workflow inefficiencies within the pharmacy department.
To tackle these challenges, the hospital implemented the HAPYmed Automated Dispensing Machine (ADM) by Nippon SySits—a smart solution designed to streamline urgent medication delivery and optimize pharmaceutical operations.
Challenges: Delays and Errors in Medication Dispensing
Before implementing the ADM system, the hospital faced three major challenges that impacted patient care and operational efficiency:
1. Delays in STAT Medication Delivery
The manual medication dispensing process and the physical distance between the central pharmacy and inpatient wards often caused significant delays in delivering urgent (STAT) medications.
2. Ward Stock Inaccuracy and Shortages
Wards frequently encountered issues such as expiring medications, duplicate stock, or critical drug shortages—leading to treatment delays and increased clinical risk.
3. Frequent Dispensing Errors
During peak hours, manual dispensing often led to errors such as wrong dosage, wrong patient (HAD – Human Administration Discrepancy), or wrong drug type (LASA – Look-Alike Sound-Alike).
Solution: Installing HAPYmed ADM Near the ER and Inpatient Wards
In the first phase of the project, the hospital installed a HAPYmed Automated Dispensing Machine (ADM) on the first floor, strategically located near the Emergency Room (ER). This placement allowed the ADM to directly serve Wards 1, 3, and 4—delivering measurable improvements in operational efficiency and patient care.
Key Results:
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Bypassed STAT Dispensing Process – Enabled urgent medications to be dispensed immediately without the standard requisition steps
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Controlled Access & Security – Medication dispensing rights are managed through a secure access control and audit trail
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Real-Time Integration with HIS (HosXP) – Ensures seamless synchronization with hospital data systems
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Reduced Paperwork – Automated medication labeling reduces manual documentation efforts
Notably, the STAT Drug Bypass workflow empowers physicians to order emergency medications instantly, with pharmacists verifying the order through the system and nurses retrieving the medication from the ADM within minutes.
System Integration: Streamlined Workflow, Fewer Errors
The HAPYmed ADM is designed for seamless integration with HosXP, the hospital information system (HIS) widely used in Thai hospitals. This direct connection enables a fully automated workflow:
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Prescription > Verification > Dispensing – all in one continuous digital process
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Automatic Recording – All dispensing activities are instantly logged into the HIS
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Sub Store Functionality – The ADM effectively serves as a decentralized ward-level medication store
This transition from a manual to an automated system allows physicians, nurses, and pharmacists to work more efficiently—with fewer administrative burdens, reduced error rates, and more time focused on patient care.
Tangible Results
Following the official implementation of the HAPYmed ADM system, the hospital observed several significant improvements:
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Marked Reduction in STAT Medication Delivery Time
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Decreased Dispensing Errors, especially with high-risk LASA (Look-Alike, Sound-Alike) drugs
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Improved Nurse Satisfaction due to a more efficient and streamlined workflow
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Real-Time Drug Inventory Visibility, enabling better stock management and planning
Future Development and Expansion
This initiative is just the beginning. The hospital is actively planning to expand toward a fully integrated, automated medication dispensing system, with the following goals:
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Establishing ADM as a Permanent Ward-Level Medication Dispenser
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Enabling Physicians to Directly Enter Prescriptions into the System
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Eliminating Redundant Data Entry within the HosXP system
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Integrating Barcode/QR Code Scanning to ensure a higher level of dispensing accuracy
Key Success Factors
The success of this project at Somdejphra Yuparat Sa Kaeo Hospital can be attributed to several critical factors:
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Strong Collaboration between hospital administrators, physicians, pharmacists, and IT teams
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Clear Problem Identification, with a focused effort on solving STAT medication delays and dispensing errors
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Effective Integration with existing systems like HosXP, ensuring minimal disruption to current workflows
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User-Centered Design of the HAPYmed ADM system, which aligned with the needs of frontline medical staff
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Commitment to Continuous Improvement, with a clear roadmap for future system expansion and optimization
HAPYmed ADM is not merely a medication dispensing cabinet—
it is a vital part of the digital transformation in patient care.
By enabling safer, faster, and patient-centered medication management, it has empowered SaKaeo Crown Price Hospital to take a significant step forward into the future of smart healthcare.
