Public Consultation on the Effectiveness & Utilization of Robotic Pharmacy Technology in Medication Delivery

:Subject

In response to the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, which was launched by the UAE government in October 2017 and aims to enhance government performance, accelerate achievement, create innovative work environments, and make the UAE the first government in the world to invest in artificial intelligence in all of its vital sectors, and provide 100% of first-line services to the public through artificial intelligence, and in line with its digital transformation aspirations in its services, EHS has adopted the use of robotic pharmacy for medicine delivery.

 Emirates Health Services (EHS) has launched four robotic pharmacies in an effort to expand the automation of pharmaceutical service delivery. The project was implemented in Al Qassimi Hospital; Al Qassimi Women's and Children's Hospital; Ibrahim Bin Hamad Obaidullah Hospital; and Abdullah Bin Omran Hospital for Obstetrics & Gynecology.

EHS also announced the launch of the first-of-its-kind self-dispensing system in the region linked to robots, which enables references through smart electronic applications to order and obtain medicines directly through smart self-exchange outlets, to facilitate and develop the customer's journey and gain the satisfaction and confidence of the beneficiaries of pharmaceutical services in Enterprise.

:Details and Goals

Testing the service *

Interested to how the service is perceived by customers *

Understand consumers' needs are desires and if they are changing *

Address any concern with the service *

Panel-discussion to gather feedback and satisfaction levels of the service *

Introduce enhancements ideas for discussion and feedback before releasing *

:Decisions expected as a result of this initiative

Enhancing robotic pharmacy service based on the opinions and suggestions of customers

Outcome

The results indicate that 52% of the participants in this question preferred to use the robot for many reasons such as the accuracy and efficiency of the service and reducing the rate of errors, saving time and effort, and providing human resources

While 32% of participants preferred to use the traditional method of obtaining the service (through the specialized pharmacist)

The results indicate that the average rating of participants on the survey and the effectiveness of using the robotic pharmacy service is four stars, which indicates customers' positive impression of the service

The results indicate that 67% of participants confirmed that they received clear and sufficient information while obtaining the service

The results indicate that the average extent of participants' recommendations to their friends to use the robotic pharmacy is four stars, which indicates customers' positive impression of the service

Decisions

Conducting awareness brochures and introductory campaigns about the service in health facilities affiliated with the Emirates Health Services Corporation

Continuously monitor and inspect the systems and add the necessary updates to avoid any delays to the patient due to technical malfunctions

Explain the importance of the pharmacist's role alongside the robotic pharmacy service and presence of a human element in the dispensing process to give medical advice to the patient on how to optimally use medications, in addition to detecting medical errors and drug interactions

Publish an educational video on public communication sites and private channels of the Emirates Health Services establishment to introduce the service

Expanding the scope of the robotic pharmacy service to include several other locations in the facilities of the Emirates Health Services establishment

Download outcome file