Resumen de Return on investment (ROI) in automation of drug storage and dispensing in Spanish hospitals
Julio Martínez Cutillas, Virginia Hernandez Corredoira, María Amelia de la Rubia Nieto, Jaime E. Poquet Jornet, Fulgencio Witting Collado, M. Duero Adrados, Emili Vallvé Alcón, C. Alerany Pardo
The adoption of automated drug storage and distribution systems by hospital pharmacy services needs a detailed evaluation of processes as well as suitable measurement of times and workflow. These include automated dispensing cabinets (ADC), horizontal and vertical carousels, and commercial boxes dispensing robots. The aim of this study is to evaluate savings obtained with automation of logistics process, so much for reduction of consumption in medicines as time saved in storage, dispensation and administration of drugs. There will be calculated the return of investment (ROI) obtained with hospitals of different characteristics and with different logistics models. The ROI in ADC is proportional to consumption. With renting option, the ROI becomes positive when consumption of drugs of ADC is over €25,000-50,000 annually. With purchase option, ROI was achieved between the first and second year after installation. In the 30 ADC facilities studied, with an annual consumption accumulated in all nursing units of €4 million and an investment of 1.3 million euros, ROI in the third year of 3.7 million euros was achieved (€3 net profit for every €1 invested). With regard to carrousels, with reduction of times of income of suppliers and preparation of orders, control of inventory, control of expiry date, it is obtained ROI benefits described from first year. In conclusion, it has been observed a substantial improvement in efficiency of logistics process after the implantation of carousels, ADC or robots for external patients. In all hospitals, a positive ROI has been obtained in the first year after the implantation, generating a net profit as years went by that overcome fully so much cost of investment and as that of maintenance
