Table 1.

Pharmacy attributes pre- and postautomation.

Process	Preautomation traditional outpatient pharmacy	Postautomation outpatient pharmacy
Prescribing	CPOEa	CPOE
Medication stock-up and record inputting	Manual	Direct loader to robot storage and barcode reading of expiry dates
Space or volume management	Open shelves with secured lock and key for controlled medications. Unknown packs/m3	Secured robotic box space calculation and allocation. ~4000 packs/m3
Medication picking	Manual	Robotic, barcode multi-picking (8 packages maximum per move)
Dispensing method	Original pack	Original pack.
Dispensed items record keeping	Tracking of each item through HISb	Automatic item deduction from stock level
Delivery to point of care	Manual carry	Conveyor belt and spiral chute
Inventory	Twice per year; manual with HIS reconciliation	Automated storage system maintains consistent inventory

^aCPOE: computerized provider order entry.

^bHIS: health information system.