A new automated dispensing system for the Pharmacy at Geary Community Hospital was approved Tuesday afternoon by the GCH Board of Trustees.

The new system, Carefusion Pyxis, will be what is essentially like a security box, according to Dr. Erick Carter, GCH Pharmacy Director.

“Every medication, in order to get it out of it, first of all you have to be granted access to it,” Carter explained. “When the nurse or the pharmacy needs to put something into it you must log into the system, and in order for it to come out of the system the patient basically has to have an order, and the order must have been applied in the McKesson Paragon in order to get it out of this system.”

The new system is expected to cut down time it takes for the Pharmacist’s and technicians to fill orders as well as cut down on missed doses and incorrect medications being sent out.

“Nurses will have better availability for their medications because it will happen in real time. As soon as the Pharmacy has applied the order they will instantly get access to that medication in the automated dispensing system.”

Carter expects the new system to be installed and ready for use sometime in May of this year.