Many technological innovations (e.g. Telemedicine, robotic surgery) have improved various aspects of the healthcare system. And while medication dispensing isn’t new and doesn’t require a lot of technology to implement, having it as an offering can vastly improve the welfare of a provider’s patient-base.
Read on below as we discuss the various benefits that you can reap by offering in-office dispensing services from your clinic.
What is in-office dispensing?
In-office dispensing is the act of preparing and providing prescribed drugs and medications directly to the patient from the doctor’s office or clinic. This specific service bypasses the need for the physician to send a patient’s prescription to the pharmacy which saves the patient the need to go to the pharmacy to get their medications dispensed.
In-office dispensing allows doctors to directly prescribe and dispense the medication to their patients immediately after the consultation. The practice is also known by many names, such as physician dispensing, point-of-care dispensing, on-site dispensing, in-office dispensing, etc. Clinics and doctors’ offices can easily implement their own dispensary by partnering with a trusted dispensing solution provider, such as First Coast Health Solutions.
What are the benefits of in-office dispensing?
Physician dispensing offers plenty of medical and economic benefits to patients, doctors, and the community. Some examples include the following:
Minimizes medication errors
The greatest benefit that a physician dispensing program can offer is that there’s now less room for dispensing errors. By having a direct link to the prescription, doctors can prepare and dispense the right medication, dosage, and form to their patients accurately and timely.
Furthermore, doctors’ clinics providing point-of-care dispensing will utilize medication dispensing software to ensure accurate prescription dispensing. Some of its features that can help avoid medication errors include the following:
- Real-time inventory tracking system.
- Medication dose and quantity checking
- Automated PDMP Submissions
- In-Depth Reports
- Complete pharmacy labeling
Improves patient adherence to medication and treatment plans
Social and economical factors can significantly hinder a patient’s ability to adhere to their medication and treatment plan. For example, many patients may be less inclined to get their prescriptions fulfilled since they cannot afford the travel time and cost it will take to get to the pharmacy or have no means of transportation to make that secondary trip. Another hindrance are the long lines, waiting times, and frequent delays in prescription availability. Additionally, many patients will bypass further consultation with the pharmacist regarding how to properly take their medications, due to the lack of privacy. Many may not want the information explained to them in front of a line of random strangers at the pharmacy.
With in-office dispensing, doctors can examine the patient, make their diagnosis, and prescribe and dispense any necessary medication immediately following the visit. If patients require additional counseling on their medication regimen, physicians can directly and privately educate them regarding proper administration and adherence, thus improving treatment compliance.
Enhances clinical outcomes
Physician dispensing does not entirely eliminate several barriers that can influence patient non-adherence, however, it can bring plenty of solutions to the table that eventually lead to patient compliance with their treatment programs. By regularly adhering to their plan of care, patients can then experience a favorable clinical prognosis, less recovery time, and an increased chance of treatment success.
Increases clinic revenue stream and reputation
In-office dispensing not only caters to the overall convenience of patients, it also creates an easy-to-implement ancillary and time-saving opportunity for providers and their clinics. Here are some examples:
- Increased patient and revenue stream. Cash dispensing programs have the potential to generate approximately $30,000 per year.
- Less time returning pharmacy calls and resubmitting prescriptions and more time for patient interaction.
- Fosters doctor-patient relationship as trust and confidentiality get more pronounced with in-office dispensing.
- Enhanced patient convenience and satisfaction.
Where to find the best medication dispensing software?
Working with a reputable medication dispensing provider, such as First Coast Health Solutions, can make physician dispensing seamless, precise, and effective. We can provide you with a program and automated technology to integrate physician dispensing services and other administrative tasks.
This will allow your clinic to offer a high-quality medication dispensing system that can improve patient care, compliance, and health outcomes. You can learn more about it by contacting us at 904-350-1155 or submitting an online contact form.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
