Author: John Van Horn

EMS Medical Supply Shortages: A Solution

Posted on by John Van Horn

Within the medical industry, pharmacy inventory is in a high-stakes gamble with supply shortages. A medical vending machine is important for local paramedics, and several townships have installed machines capable of dispensing drugs and equipment—rather than the traditional snack food and beverages.

The Columbus Dispatch has featured such inclusions within their depiction of a pharmaceutical vending machine providing innovative solutions for emergency medical supplies, combating cost increases with locally provided medication and pharmaceuticals.

Instant Supply and Quick Medical Inventory Solutions

Each EMS medical vending machine provides a variety of solutions for ailments acknowledged by the Food and Drug Administration, alerting paramedics when stocked equipment or drugs are in low supply. Additionally, soon-to-expire substances are returned to distributors—exchanged for credit.

Revolutionary Design

Controlled Access Pharmaceutical Dispensers utilize updated tracking and inventory tracking technology. This technology delivers a number of processes, optimizing the machine for use and substance maintenance:

  •         EMS supply tracking
  •         Instant medication expense recording
  •         Control and monitoring of inventory
  •         Usage transparency

Each Controlled Access Pharmaceutical Dispenser enables and empowers EMS professionals—granting them instant access of units on a 24/7 basis. Intensive identification protocols are utilized, securing the unit through several mechanisms:

  •         Proximity card reader
  •         Pin number
  •         Bar code identification scanner
  •         Biometric fingerprint reader
  •         Combination lock mechanism

Regulation and Industry Security

Every system withdraw is cataloged, regulated and time stamped through individual use. Authority level clearance is always tight, so industry regulations are kept intact throughout servicing. Additionally, every Controlled Access Pharmaceutical Dispenser may be streamlined to access email notifications—contacting management when controlled substances are dispensed.

Such boundaries are available with simple inclusions: internet access and a laptop. Managers across the world can access, manage and utilize a variety of Controlled Access Pharmaceutical Dispenser items, each located within a variety of locations.

Restock Awareness and Recording

Within the industry, up-to-date inventories are vital, and expenses within pharmaceutical realms have been reduced to mere hundreds of dollars where CAP machines are utilized—replacing the previous multiple-thousand-dollar expenses ambulances and hospitals normally incurred.

When authorized staff identification has been established, CAP machines may be programmed to provide a number of functions, including:

  •         Vehicle-specified access
  •         Incident-specific access
  •         Witness identification approval

Often, an EMS Manager is required during unlocking and dispensing, ensuring control over narcotic kits, oxygen, laptops and back boards. Where storeroom security and accountability are concerned, CAP machines effectively regulate usage, expiration rates and location.

A Future of Consistency

Pharmaceutical and emergency providers have thrived where Controlled Access Pharmaceutical Dispensers are provided—making alerts simple while managing administrative tasks. Individuals obtain customized usage reports, facilitating growth within each unit-equipped sector. Management and billing purposes are well-maintained, and reports are delivered daily, weekly or during custom timeframes.

Where inventory managers are considered, automatic tracking optimizes inventory logging, making instant recording much more than a primary function. The Controlled Access Pharmaceutical Dispenser will likely become an industry constant within the future, redefining EMS services while assisting patients on-site, with complete accessibility, regulation and ease-of-use for industry professionals. The medical industry appears bright, and the CAP Dispenser is paving the way.

Source:

https://www.boundtree.com/ucapit

Keep Controlled Substances Contained and Under Your Control

Posted on by John Van Horn

These days, many hospitals and other medical facilities find themselves in a similar predicament regarding the storage and tracking of emergency medical supplies. These supplies may include anything from controlled substances and oxygen tanks to scrubs and uniforms. In many facilities, a hospital manager may need to be present in order for an EMS or other hospital employee to obtain the inventory needed from the facility’s stock. And other inventory tracking systems, such as employee ID logs and card readers, can (and sometimes are) abused.

Fortunately, there is a way for medical facilities these days to keep the controlled substances and other pharmaceutical supplies that they need safely contained and tracked. Specifically, custom vending solutions may be the way to go.

How Do Medical Vending Systems Work?

While on the surface, a vending machine may not seem like the most secure means of dispensing valuable hospital inventory, the fact is that technology has made it possible for these custom vending machines not only to dispense items, but to do so securely.

Specifically, a custom medical vending system can be programmed to work with a medical facility’s existing security measures. Whether the facility relies on employee access codes, card readers, fingerprint readers, or a combination of these, the machine can be designed and programmed to require that same input before dispensing any supplies to the user.

Another great feature of these systems is that each transaction is carefully tracked; therefore, once an item is dispensed, the facility’s inventory is automatically updated to reflect this. If desired, the system can automatically order more inventory when the system determines that the supply of a particular item is low. As a result medical facilities save time and money when they convert to such a system.

Medical Vending Systems and Security

Of course, the ultimate priority of any medical facility dealing with pharmacy inventory (especially controlled substances) is making sure that nothing falls into the wrong hands. Fortunately, custom medical vending systems are more secure than any other system currently available.

Specifically, these systems track, catalog, timestamp, and regulate the dispensing of all supplies. In fact, it’s even possible to set the system up so that a manager receives an automatic e-mail any time inventory is dispensed from the machine. This e-mail can contain information about what was dispensed and who requested it. This not only adds security to the process and cuts down on instances of theft but also saves facilities the time and money required to have a manager on site every time inventory is requested by an employee.

Furthermore, these vending systems are available not only for hospital inventory, but for employee uniforms such as scrubs and other medical retail as well. Whether a medical facility is in need of a few simple vending machines for the cafeteria or something as secure as a controlled substance vending system, the options are available. These automated medical inventory control options can save medical facilities a great deal of money in the long run.

More Hospitals are now Investing in Scrub Stocked Vending Machines, ScrubTrak

Posted on by John Van Horn

There are more than a few ambulatory surgery programs that have become burdened with overwhelming overhead expenses, especially when it comes to proper apparel and inventory management in the workplace. As a solution, many of these programs have opted for controlled dispensing of scrubs and other apparel. Surprisingly, though, there are many expenses that can go along with dispensing scrubs. Is there a solution? Of course, there is, and it comes in the form of ScrubTrak.

Deciding if Scrub Vending Machines Are Right For Your Health Care Facility?

Are your hospital employees required to wear scrubs? If yes, then a vending machine which dispenses all different types of scrubs will likely do very well in your office. For medical centers that do require scrubs, ScrubTrak provides your workers with the ability to purchase or rent scrubs out of a vending machine which can boost employee morale as well as productivity levels; this in return can lead to better patient care.

With a scrub vending machine, your medical office will enjoy many benefits and a quality solution to inventory shrinkage in relation to uniforms and scrubs. You can have your ScrubTrak machine customized to meet your specifications. For instance, you can have it set up so that each employee can rent two pairs of scrubs for free. For each additional pair that they want, they will need to return one of the free pairs. If they don’t have a free pair to return, they will have to pay for any additional scrub rentals.

Another excellent feature of ScrubTrak is that scrubs can be separated by color and size, making it exceptionally simple to rent or purchase a pair of scrubs. And with a return slot, the typical scrub return area is no longer needed, giving you optimal space to treat even more patients.

To learn more about ScrubTrak and the many advantageous features that it offers, contact Intelligent Dispensing Solutions today. We offer a variety of vending options that are ideal for any healthcare setting, including ScrubTrak, healthy vending machines, and even retail vending. We take the headache out of vending contracts, making sure that you aren’t hit with any surprises. We are here to exceed your expectations by providing you with today’s latest vending technology.

Healthy Vending Options for Hotel Travelers

Posted on by John Van Horn

When it comes to traveling, most of us are familiar with hotel vending machines. From a bag of chips to a chocolate candy bar, we’ve all ended up in our hotel rooms eating a rather unhealthy vending machine dinner choice. What if vending machines offered healthier options, though? Would you be more prone to frequent them? Probably, and this is exactly what Anjana Kallarackal thought when she submitted the idea to Marriott’s Travel Brilliantly campaign.

What about you? Are looking for a way to offer your customers or employees with better vending options? If so, you should definitely take advantage of today’s healthy hotel vending machines. Take for instance that you’re operating a hotel. By offering your guests with vending options that include fresh salads, fresh fruits and veggies, and even freshly cooked meats, they will be much more likely to have dinner in their rooms or in the lounge area. More importantly, they will greatly appreciate that you care about their nutrition. In return, this will boost guest loyalty.

Healthy hotel vending machines also make for an excellent way to impress your employees. Instead of them having to go out for lunch each day, they can purchase healthy foods right in the office. Being that they won’t have to go out for lunch, they will have more time to socialize with other employees, which will lead to a boost in employee morale. Offering healthy vending options to your workers will also help maintain low-rates of employee turnover. Workers will be able to see for themselves that you truly care about their health and well-being.

No matter the industry that your company operates in, it can benefit from healthy vending machines. From courthouse vending areas to daycare centers, everyone loves having access to healthier foods. Keep in mind that when offering healthy vending options, your vending machines need to be working top-notch. The heating and cooling of fresh items is extremely important, meaning you may need to invest in a higher-quality machine. With Intelligent Dispensing Solutions, you can rest assured that all of your vending machine-related matters will be attended to in the most appropriate manner. From maintenance to stocking, Intelligent Dispensing Solutions is your go-to healthy food vending service provider.

Automated Pharmaceutical Dispenser Software and Hardware Solutions

Posted on by John Van Horn

UCapIt uses the latest technology to control inventory access to pharmaceutical supplies, including first aid medical supplies and emergency medical supplies. Ramp up employee accountability and reduce supply waste with state-of-the-art software and hardware solutions.

Software Solutions for Pharmacy Inventory

SD5000-EMS_UVendThe Controlled Access Pharmaceutical (CAP) dispenser includes a proximity card reader, bar code scanner, biometric reader, secure networking and real time reporting via the Internet. Its tracking technology works 24/7. Customized usage reports can be set to be sent daily or weekly. This way, pharmacy inventory can be managed, monitored, and tracked. All withdrawals of pharmaceutical supplies are cataloged, time stamped and regulated. In addition, EMS health care workers have immediate access to emergency medical supplies and can restock their units 24/7. Once staff ID is recorded, the CAP dispenser can be programmed to ask for a vehicle number or second ID before dispensing restocked items. Lockers can also be added to record and control access to oxygen, narcotic kits and laptops. Storeroom pharmacy inventory can also be tracked with expiration codes. With its real time reporting feature, usage reports can even be integrated with the company billing software. This software solution is innovative, revolutionary and works 24/7.

Hardware Solutions for Pharmaceutical Supplies

UCapIt offers the CAP 5 and CAP 3 dispensers along with lockers for add-ons that accommodate larger items, such as trip bags and oxygen tanks. Each comes with a refrigerated option to keep pharmaceutical supplies at optimal temperatures for a longer shelf life.

UCAPITThe CAP 5 allows for full control over a wide variety of packages and products. It has an intelligent control system for 24/7 real time reporting of transactions. Constructed of 20 gauge steel with welded seams and internal bracing, it’s built to last and deliver reliable service. Standard LED lighting provides high visibility for dimly lit areas. Multiple interfaces are available, including biometric reader, bar code ID scanner, proximity card reader and pin number. Bulky packages are easy accessible through its extra-large delivery port. The CAP 3 is a smaller version of the CAP 5 with the same great features. Door Lockers are available in three or 12 compartments and different colors like red, white and blue.

All of UCapIt dispensers are engineered for high reliability and easy maintenance. Computer controlled machinery is used for its construction, and each machine is checked for optimal performance before installation.

What Happens if you Ban Bottled Water on a College Campus Vending Machine?

Posted on by John Van Horn

If you’re on a college campus and are frantically running from one building to another to make it to your next class on time, it’s natural to want something to drink to quench your thirst. You may turn to the nearest school vending machine as a solution thanks to the efficiency and convenience that it brings to the table. What if you wanted a nice, cold bottle of water from the vending machine and were only greeted by sugary sodas that you had no interest in? What if this was the result of your college campus taking the unusual step of banning bottled water altogether? What would happen next?

A new study published by the American Journal of Public Health seeks to understand the effects of banning bottled water. According to the study, restricting access to bottled water on college campuses actually statistically increases the consumption of less healthy beverages. Another side effect is that the ban increases the amount of plastic waste that a college campus has to deal with at the same time.

The study, which is appropriately called “The Unintended Consequences of Changes in Beverage Options and the Removal of Bottled Water on a University Campus,” closely tracked vending machine activity after the University of Vermont banned all bottled water sales on its campus. Not surprisingly, other unhealthy alternatives to water saw a 25 percent increase in sales almost immediately. At the same time, there was an astounding 8.5 percent increase in the total amount of plastic waste that then had to be dealt with by university officials.

Ironically, the purpose of the University of Vermont’s ban was not to spike the sales of sugary drinks at all. College officials report that they originally just wanted to encourage students to bring their own reusable water bottles that they could then fill with tap water from drinking fountains located all over campus. The university even went to the trouble of retrofitting 68 water fountains across the area to make it more convenient to use them with reusable water bottles, making it all the more interesting that the opposite effect seems to have occurred.

The International Bottled Water Association has long maintained that the restriction of bottled water will absolutely lead to the increased consumption of less healthy beverages and increased creation of waste that must then be dealt with. Thanks to the AJPH, these findings have been confirmed in a way that is difficult to argue with. For many people, the choice between cold, healthy bottled water and an unhealthy soda alternative isn’t really a choice at all.

Sources: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=The+Unintended+Consequences+of+Changes+in+Beverage+Options+and+the+Removal+of+Bottled+Water+on+a+University+Campus

Schools and Fitness Centers Offer More Healthy Food & Non Food Related Items More Than Ever Before

Posted on by John Van Horn

First Lady Michelle Obama and students from across the country who participate in the ten “Let’s Move!” sub-initiative programs, eat the food they have prepared during a White House Kitchen Garden harvest event in the East Room of the White House, June 3, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Childhood obesity rates have leveled off and among some populations are starting to decline. This is good news after decades of steadily rising rates of obesity among children and teens in the United States.

Popular campaigns like the Alliance for a Healthier Generation sponsored by the Clinton Foundation and American Heart Foundation, Let’s Move sponsored by First Lady Michelle Obama, and the NFL’s Play 60, are working to help parents, children, and schools to make better decisions regarding food choices and activity.

Prior to these campaigns, school cafeterias served fried foods, high carbohydrate sides, and sugary desserts. If that weren’t enough, students in the 1990’s could easily find a vending machine loaded with sugary drinks and unhealthy snacks. Students had difficulty making good choices simply because healthy foods weren’t being offered.

Thankfully, these campaigns are making a difference. School cafeterias offer more fresh fruits and vegetables to the students at lunch. Some have transformed grass into thriving school gardens where students learn to cultivate the Earth, grow fresh produce and consume what they grow.

In addition, the traditional vending machine has been replaced. Companies like Intelligent Dispensing Solutions have created school vending machines that dispense healthy fare such as low-fat milk, bottled water, and fresh vegetable and fruit solutions. For schools, machines like this are a win-win combination. Students have easy access to quality foods and the machines automate inventory and IDS’ IQ software technology syncs the machine with the requirements of the Federal Free and Reduced Meal program.

No campaign can create widespread change overnight; however, as these initiatives have continued to pick up steam, long-term change seems to be happening. Finally, we have some good news about childhood obesity.

Visit Intelligent Dispensing Solutions for unique solutions for school and fitness center healthy snack vending machines. Whether the machines are vending healthy foods or material goods such as towels or earbuds, IDS’s IQ technology keeps your sales records secure and up to date, while the machine prevents theft and automates the sale process freeing your employees to attend to other tasks.

Good Items to Embrace, and Bad Items to Avoid in Your Gym Vending Machine

Posted on by John Van Horn

main-get-fit-work-dont-fear-the-vending-machine_0Many people still picture vending machines as units filled with snacks, sodas or other unhealthy items. Not only is this an antiquated idea at this point, but in today’s modern society it actually couldn’t be farther from the truth. Many healthcare facilities are using vending machines to dispense medical supplies and other items, for example. Even gyms are getting in on the fun, with vending machines filled with the types of healthy items necessary to compliment a great workout. If you’re looking to add a vending machine to your gym, however, it’s just as important to know what you should NOT stock as it is knowing what you should.

Items to Avoid

Out of all the items that you should avoid in your gym vending machine, honey buns, cinnamon rolls and more may be the worst. While they make make sense, especially if you’re trying to consider those early morning fitness gurus in search of a good breakfast, some of them have as many calories as you would get in an entire meal.

Doritos and other types of flavored snacks should also likely be avoided, but not necessarily for the reason you might think. While these snacks don’t necessarily have a huge amount of calories, they are also low in fiber and high in salt – a combination that people working out absolutely do not need.

Items to Embrace

Dry fruit is a great option for putting in your gym vending machine for a very simple reason: they’re high in the types of fiber and vitamins that people working out need at that period of time. Microwave popcorn is also a great option to put in these nutritional vending machines as it is high in fiber and antioxidants.

Intelligent Dispensing Solutions

If you’re looking for the perfect nutritional item vending machine to compliment your gym, Intelligent Dispensing Solutions has a wide range of options, such as vending machines and smart secure lockers, that are up to the challenge. Not only can you install vending machines to dispense everything from sports drinks to weight gloves, but these solutions also allow you to cut back on the amount of staff that is required to work in your gym overnight. Not only will your patrons be happy, but you can save a significant amount of money at the same time.

A vending machine no longer has to be just for chips, candy, soda and other unhealthy items. Gyms all over the world are proving that they’re also a great way to make sure that your customers have access to all of the items that they need after a terrific workout. By understanding which items you should be avoiding in your gym vending machine, you’ll go a long way towards making sure that you’re always giving your customers exactly what they’re looking for at all times.

The University of California, Santa Barbara Offers Students Broad Range of Materials in Vending Machine

Posted on by John Van Horn

Seeing vending machines on campus is nothing new for college students. Coffee, soft drinks, water, snacks, and even pre-made sandwiches are just a few push buttons away. A new resolution before the University of California Santa Barbara student Senate would re-establish school supply vending machines on campus.

The proposed bill, A Resolution to Re-Establish the School Supply Vending Machines Group Projects, was authored by student Senators Isabelle Ninh and Lacy Wright. The proposed legislation before the campus’ 2015-2016 student government would place test supply vending machines in the campus’ Pardall Center. Initially, the school supply vending machine would dispense test supplies such as blue books, Parscores, and other testing materials.

Senator Matthew Santos first pitched the idea to the 2014-2015 student Senate. He, along with Senators Ninh and Wright will be responsible for monitoring the machine inventory, making changes to meet student needs, and determining what should be done with the revenue. According to Santos, Students would benefit from the machine in more than just having handy blue books. He would like to see the revenue to toward offsetting student fees. In particular, Santos proposed, “…we want the money to go to the AS Innovation Fund, which has the purpose of offsetting student fees through the generated interest.”

If the resolution is successful, UC Santa Barbara will join other universities, such as Penn State, in making life for their students a little easier by offering school supplies to their students around the clock. These automated machines dispense a wide variety of school supplies and can be linked to student debit accounts or can accept traditional credit cards and/or cash.

Intelligent Dispensing Solutions specializes in these unique types of vending machines. Our office and school vending machines can be customized to meet any need that you have. With our iQ Technology, you will rest easy in the assurance that your customer data is safe while receiving up to the minute sales data that will help you make important decisions about inventory and generate additional income.

Photo Credit: Photo by Mathew Burciaga, Layout Editor

Redefining The Retail Experience

Posted on by John Van Horn

The very nature of the retail experience has been changing dramatically over the last several years. Even as recently as 15 years ago, you essentially had one option if you wanted a particular item – you left your house, got in your car and drove to the nearest appropriate store. The Internet changed all that and made it easier than ever to get items delivered right to your home with no car trip necessary. Now, a new type of vending machine solution is poised to take things one step farther by offering a huge range of different items that you wouldn’t normally find in these machines.

When you think about vending machines and the products inside them, you probably call to mind images of potato chips, soft drinks and candy. Items like designer handbags, cupcakes and children’s toys probably don’t fit your mental image of what a vending machine is capable of. The city of Toronto is working hard to challenge your perception, however, by installing a wide range of high tech machines around the city.

Deluxe vending machines are already popping up all over the Toronto area stocked with items like novels, beauty products, clothing and more. These items are strategically located in some of the busiest areas of the city, making them ideal for both tourists and residents alike.

These types of innovative retail vending machine solutions are truly taking the automated retail experience to the next level. In addition to the fact that they’re already starting to sell the types of items that you wouldn’t normally expect to find in a vending machine, they’re also playing music and even the latest Hollywood blockbuster in an attempt to attract the attention of everyone who passes by.

The retail experience is one that is in a constant state of flux that started with the advent of the Internet. Now that innovative vending machine solutions are automating the retail experience even further, it will be truly interesting to see what consumer shopping looks like five, ten or even fifteen years from now. Intelligent Dispensing Solutions will be there inventing and reinventing along the entire process.

Source: http://www.thestar.com/business/2015/05/08/how-a-new-breed-of-vending-machine-is-poised-to-take-on-retail.html