Are you worried about having the time you need to offer the services that are becoming an increasingly essential part of your pharmacy practice?
Technology has the potential to help your pharmacy in many ways, but one of the biggest benefits of technology is that it can save you time. After all, time is one of the most valuable resources you have.
Consider investing in one (or all) of these time-saving technologies for your pharmacy.
1. Pharmacy automation
Installing a robot to handle dispensing prescriptions, will give you more time to spend on clinical services, like administering vaccinations or providing MTM services. Your pharmacy will be able to handle more prescriptions in less time, which can help you handle more patients efficiently. Just make sure you’re investing in a robot at the right time for your pharmacy.
2. Website
Your pharmacy should have a website that includes all of the essential information a new patient would need to know, such as your hours of operation, address and phone number. Making this information readily available online can give patients easy assess to these answers. And, it’ll save you valuable time that you might otherwise have to spend on the phone answering questions.
3. Mobile apps
You can use mobile apps to do everything from improving organization in your pharmacy to recommending OTC products to patients. Try an app that helps organize your to-do list, or a mobile guide to learn more about OTC products and prescription medications. These apps can help you be more productive and knowledgeable in your everyday tasks. (Here are some recommendations of apps to download for your pharmacy.)
4. Online refills
Offering prescription refills online can be a huge time saver. You and your staff will spend less time on the phone fielding patients’ refill requests, and more time on your regular workflow or counseling patients. Check with your pharmacy’s software vendor to see what options are available for you.
5. Interactive voice response systems
Interactive voice response (IVR) systems can help you spend less time on the phone taking refill orders, much like online refill requests. These systems ensure that patients can always send in refill requests even if no one is available to answer the phone. Plus, patients can submit refills any time of day, even when your pharmacy is closed.
Utilize these technologies so you can spend more time with patients, and deliver better patient care.
