BD Deploys First U.S. BD Vmax 160 Pharmacy Automation Robot
News related to:BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) · 2 min read
BD, a leading global medical technology company, has made history by deploying the BD Vmax 160, a next-generation pharmacy automation robot, at Fairview Health Services. This deployment marks the first-of-its-kind U.S. installation, signaling a significant advancement in pharmacy care and management.
Fairview Health Services, one of the nation's largest health systems, operates a network of 25 outpatient pharmacies and mail-order services, serving over 20,000 prescriptions weekly. The health system is expanding its centralized pharmacy operations to meet the growing demand for specialty therapies, refrigerated medications, and increasingly complex fulfillment needs. The BD Vmax 160 is designed to support these evolving requirements, providing high-speed unit-of-use automation for boxed medications.
The BD Vmax 160 introduces several innovative features to Fairview's pharmacy operations. It automates inventory management, reducing manual dispensing activities and enhancing visibility into medication expiration dates, lot tracking, and recall management. Key features include:
- Automated Inventory Replenishment: The system allows for overnight loading and inventory optimization with BD EasyLoad, achieving a 3-second loading time per tote with 99.8% accuracy. - Automated Labeling: This feature eliminates time-consuming manual tasks while ensuring compliance with labeling requirements for all 50 states. - Cold-Chain Capability: Designed for 2-8°C environments, the system ensures proper medication storage and enhances medication safety. - Smart Expiry Detection: This technology flags and tracks expiration dates upon loading, automatically blocking expired medications from dispensing to reduce waste and support compliance.
BD's Vmax 160 complements the company's broader portfolio of pharmacy automation technologies, including the BD Parata™ Max 2 high-speed vial filling robot. This integration aims to streamline pharmacy operations, optimize clinical processes, and improve patient care.
Matt Sassone, President of BD Pharmacy Automation, emphasized the importance of this deployment.
The deployment of the BD Vmax 160 at Fairview Health Services is part of a larger trend in the healthcare industry, where health systems are increasingly adopting centralized pharmacy operations and automation technologies to manage the complexities of modern medication fulfillment. This move not only addresses the growing demand for specialty therapies and refrigerated medications but also helps in managing the challenges posed by retail pharmacy closures, an aging population, workforce shortages, and the increasing prevalence of pharmacy deserts.
By leveraging advanced automation, BD and Fairview Health Services are setting a new standard for pharmacy care, ensuring that patients have better access to the therapies they need. This deployment underscores BD's commitment to advancing the world of health through innovative solutions that optimize clinical operations and improve patient care.