Memorial Hospital has installed an automated, interactive medication dispensing kiosk. Rx to Go offers patients, visitors and staff a convenient way to pick up their prescriptions without having to make an extra stop at the pharmacy.
“When people are sick or injured, they want quick and convenient care,” Chief Financial Officer Andy Miller said. “By bringing the pharmacy vending machine technology to our facility, we are able to improve the care process by offering patients a one-stop experience where they can not only be treated quickly, but they can also pick up their medications before returning home.”
Located in the main lobby of the hospital’s ER and available 24 hours a day, Rx to Go is stocked with a formulary of top-prescribed medications, excluding controlled substances. After a patient scans in his prescriptions and provides payment, the medication is dispensed through the machine. During the process the patient videoconferences with a live pharmacist. They also have the option to pick up the kiosk phone for added privacy.
“This is an innovative concept and the first in-hospital kiosk of its kind in Northeast Florida,” said Dr. Fred Jenkins, medical director of the Memorial Hospital ER. “This kiosk allows patients to fill their prescriptions and interact face-to-face with a pharmacist before leaving the ER, which can lead to increased compliance and improved outcomes.”