The project includes a complete reorganization of the spaces used for medication storage, distribution and preparation, combining two automation technologies: vertical carousels for the central hospital pharmacy storeroom and ADC systems for the nursing units.
The Galician Health Service (SERGAS) project with APD
| Solución | Cantidad | Ubicación |
|---|---|---|
| Carrusel vertical (almacenamiento automático) | 4 sistemas | Servicios de Farmacia Hospitalaria |
| SADME (dispensación automática) | 38 sistemas | Unidades de enfermería |
What is a vertical carousel and how does it improve medication storage?
A vertical carousel is an automated storage system that uses robotics to manage the physical space available in the Hospital Pharmacy Department. It optimizes access to medications, speeds up internal order picking and improves stock control and rotation.
4 vertical carousel systems installed
The 4 units installed in Galicia’s district hospitals support smoother, more accurate operations, reducing the time spent searching for and handling products and minimizing the errors associated with manual management.
What are ADCs and why does SERGAS choose them?
ADCs (automated dispensing cabinets) are robotic cabinets installed directly on the nursing units. They provide secure, controlled and traceable access to the medication prescribed for each patient, at the moment it is needed.
38 ADC systems on the nursing units
The 38 ADC systems purchased from APD improve the efficiency of medication distribution, optimize real-time inventory management and reduce the risk of administration errors. Their integration with hospital information systems ensures full medication traceability across the entire care pathway.
Benefits for Galicia’s district hospitals
- Logistics efficiency: less time spent on repetitive manual storage and distribution tasks.
- Full traceability: every medication movement is recorded and integrated with the hospital information system.
- Patient safety: controlled access to medication and a lower risk of administration errors.
- More clinical time: nursing and hospital pharmacy staff spend less time on logistics and more on direct patient care.
Frequently asked questions about hospital pharmacy automation
What is an ADC?
An automated dispensing cabinet: a robotic cabinet on the nursing unit that provides secure, traceable access to each patient’s medication.
What are the advantages of a vertical carousel in the hospital pharmacy?
It optimizes storage space, speeds up order picking and improves stock control, reducing manual management errors.
APD, a specialist in hospital pharmacy automation
APD (Algoritmos Procesos y Diseños, SA) designs and implements automation solutions for hospital medication logistics: ADCs, vertical carousels and management systems integrated with the patient’s medical record. This project with the Galician Health Service adds to other APD implementations in hospitals across Spain.
Solutions in this article
Cover photo: @sergas_ourense on Instagram
