Category: Medical Vending Machines

Will-Call Automation and the UCapIt Inventory Management System

Posted on by John Van Horn

Vending systems and machines have, in the past, been viewed as a second-rate alternative to traditional store fronts. UCapIt has established vending services as an asset in providing life-saving medical supplies and equipment to emergency medical technicians (EMTs) on demand. Now, these same cutting edges advances in product delivery are coming to a pharmacy near you!

Do you know what your pharmacy inventory is today?

  • How many people have access to your pharmacy?
  • If you had an internal shortage problem would you know who accessed the pharmacy?
  • Are controlled drugs available to techs without the proper level of training?
  • Are your perishable items being used in a First In First Out manner?
  • How do you audit your Pharmacy Supplies today?

The Controlled Access Pharmacy or CAP allows EMS, Pharmaceutical, Veterinary and other medical professionals the ability to restock their units 24/7 and have real-time usage and Pharmaceutical inventory control tracking. The CAP EMS vending machine can check multiple forms of ID and will prompt for station or dispatch specific data. All withdrawals are cataloged, time stamped and regulated by tech clearance/training level.

The CAP aggregates all dispensing history and alerts for low stock position, expiring product and creates a pick list for restocking. It will generate individual call reports based on products restocked. This information can be printed or exported to your Accounts Payable/Receivable Software.

Technology has advanced, and now UCapIt can remove human error from the process, reducing mistakes and significantly speeding up the pickup process. In every pharmacy setting, from hospitals to chain pharmacies, installing new will-call vending solutions has reduced labor costs, improved accuracy, and cut wait times by nearly one-third.

Reducing Patient Infections using ScrubTrak: Vending for Scrubs

Posted on by John Van Horn

There is little debate about the dangers in-hospital infections pose to patients. The mechanics of managing these infections have evolved greatly from the time when doctors didn’t even consider it necessary to wash their hands when moving from patient to patient. With advances in modern hygiene and medicine, health care professionals are now focusing on one of the last bastions of contagion: improperly managed scrub uniforms worn by hospital staff.

The concept of wearing scrubs has some clear virtues: they’re easy to launder and also low cost to produce, which means they can easily be disposed of when contaminated. They’re also designed to allow medical care professionals to be easily identified. However, new studies in the US and the UK have shown that these same scrubs intended to reduce transmission of disease, in fact, can pick up and carry infectious agents from room to room or patient to patient. Because nurses and doctors may believe that having only limited contact with a patient does not expose them to disease, they may not be observing the correct level of safety and cleanliness protocols.

ScrubTrak and IDS’ scrub inventory management system provides the ideal solution. Having an easy stock of clean, contagion-free scrubs available at all times to the entire healthcare community encourages medical professionals to change as soon as they have any concern about carrying pathogens. Instead of placing an undue burden on staff to purchase, launder, maintain, and keep track of clean scrubs on a constant basis, having a medical scrubs machine on site shows that the hospital or care center values its employees–and its patient’s well being!

Large Item Dispensing Revolutionized

Posted on by John Van Horn

cap12locker1

Emergency medical professionals regularly need access to large costly items that an entire team shares. Oxygen tanks, medical toolkits, and emergency medical devices are all very costly, and improper storage of these items can wreak havoc on already financially strapped organizations.

The UCapIt 12-door supply locker and dispensing system handles large or bulky items that need to be check out and checked back in. We’ve heard from emergency medical professionals from across the nation, the need to have a central access point for all critical medical devices is unanimous across the board. That’s why we developed the locker dispensing system to help medical professionals keep track of expensive tools and equipment, that is easily accessed by those who are trained and qualified to use such devices.

Our CAP 12-Door Equipment Locker Features:

Adjustable Back Panels – Size to fit each compartment for varying product depths.

LED Lighting – High visibility and high efficiency LED lighting option for dimly lighted locations.

Recharging Adapters – Charge and check out radios and other powered equipment.

Ideal for Large Single-Item Vending and Asset Management

There are several other ways that UCapIt CAP 12-Door large item supply locker can help emergency medical professionals. Be sure to look into this company and their unique large item vending machines to see how they can help you.

Scrubs May Be Contaminating More Than Expected

Posted on by John Van Horn

A wake-up call has been rung for healthcare personnel around the world. A Duke Health study reports on the “transmission triangle” in a healthcare setting, between patients, the environment where care is administered, and the health care provider.

The study states that the germs in hospital rooms that come in contact with healthcare personnel can be spread far more than originally discovered.

“Any type of patient care, or even just entry into a room where care is provided, truly should be considered a chance for interacting with organisms that can cause disease.” said Deverick Anderson, M.D., the study’s lead author and associate professor of medicine at Duke University School of Medicine.

During the study, researchers collected cultures from the scrubs of intensive care unit nurses at Duke University Hospital. The samples were collected from new scrubs at the start of their shift, before interacting with a patient, and at the end of each shift.  

Analysis of the cultures found organisms on the nurse’s scrubs that were not present at the beginning of a shift, but were present at the end. The researchers then looked for those same organisms in the samples collected from patients and their rooms.

During the shifts considered, the researchers confirmed 12 instances when at least one of the five pathogens was transmitted from the patient or the room to the scrubs. Six incidents each involved transmission from patient to nurse and room to nurse. An additional ten transmissions were from the patient to the room.

Analysis of the study found the scrubs, particularly the pockets and sleeves, from the nurses were most likely contaminated, and had the ability to pass on bacteria beyond the healthcare setting. Following prevention strategies has to be a top priority for all healthcare personnel.

Contaminated linen, including scrubs and coats, have been identified as a source of large numbers of pathogenic microorganisms. ScrubTrak helps keep scrubs clean and control this risk in healthcare organizations by providing return units in key locations throughout the campus. Having multiple return unit locations ensures that employees do not have to travel far distances in contaminated uniforms.

Hospital grade laundering services provides a thorough, cleaning process that cannot be replicated in home washing machines and ensures scrubs are rid of infectious germs. Through automating the scrub management process for receiving and returning scrubs, ScrubTrak assists hospitals in complying with AORN’s recommendation for surgical attire to be laundered by a healthcare laundry facility to avoid the spread of infectious bacteria on scrubs of medical personnel who have patient interaction. By offering dispensing and return units for scrubs, and monitoring compliance through our real-time software system, hospital administrators can confidently comply with AORN. In addition, ScrubTrak’s return units allow for convenient and safe scrub pick-up by laundering staff.

The best way to get clean, fresh, correctly-sized scrubs, anytime? ScrubTrak, the easiest way to dispense scrubs, anywhere.

Scrubs: Streetwear or Not?

Posted on by John Van Horn

When the public brings to mind the image of a medical professional, they have one of two outfits in mind: either a white lab coat or scrubs, usually blue ones. But when a medical professional is out of the hospital or lab, what are the implications of wearing the same apparel? Is it dangerous to wear scrubs outside and, if so, to whom?

Wearing a white lab coat can signal that the wearer is a scientist, doctor, a pharmacist, or many other health professions – even certain educators. Scrubs are believed to signal that the wearer is in a job where he or she could encounter hazardous biological material, requiring disposable or easily replaceable attire. However, scrubs are often worn in professions where no biological material is handled, such as medical technicians, x-ray operators, dental and veterinary assistants, massage therapists, some secretaries in medical settings, physical and occupational therapists, and many others.

The two primary dangers of wearing scrubs outdoors of the requisite work environment are contamination and perception.  When someone wears scrubs outside of a hospital setting, they may unwittingly be perceived as competent to handle emergency medical situations, simply due to their garb.  

Since the media often portrays surgeons as wearing only scrubs–rather than the medically appropriate gowns and guards–there is a concern that those wearing scrubs could either be carrying contagions or be picking up contaminants that will then be brought into sensitive medical settings. Both situations are highly unlikely to be accurate.

The real reasons for wearing scrubs outside of professional settings are as varied as the wearers. Some may wear their scrubs out to impress strangers; others find them comfortable and convenient coverings, dispensed from a vending machine on site, like ScrubTrak. Many hospitals are now discouraging their employees from wearing scrubs outside the workplace, but exceptions persist, such as when a doctor’s own clothing has been impaired in some way. Ultimately, the practice of using scrubs as streetwear isn’t particularly dangerous, and is more of a personal preference.

The best way to get clean, fresh, correctly-sized scrubs, anytime? ScrubTrak, the easiest way to dispense scrubs, anywhere.

How UCapIt Can Help EMS Providers Save Money

Posted on by John Van Horn

Today more than ever hospitals, EMS providers and other healthcare organizations are challenged to provide a higher quality of patient care while reducing operating costs and facing increased regulatory requirements and patient volume. UCapIt provides an innovative, yet simple, solution to a persistent problem. Through cloud-based technology and an intuitive, easy to use software platform, UCapIt and IDS increases employee productivity and provides management with real-time analytics from their EMS supply tracking vending machines in order to make data-driven executive-level decisions.

UCapIt and IDS provides medical inventory tracking by allowing administrators to set limits on the number of items a user may take out at a time. Once the user hits that limit the user must return an item(s) before access is returned. Restrictions on usage can be adjusted on a departmental level by authorized administrators and multiple alert options are available via e-mail to multiple individuals based upon client established criteria. Reports include, but are not limited to:

  • Usage Summary
  • Inventory Consumption
  • Comparative Usage by Time
  • Transactions
  • Restock Summary
  • Par Optimization
  • Item Turnover Rate
  • Inventory Totals
  • Discrepancy Report

Here is a direct quote from Capt Beth Hines of Jacksonville NC (Onlow County EMS) about our drug expiration tracking feature:

“The report tells me what I need to know, how many are expiring, where they are located and the name of the medication. I really like that I can run the report for 90 or more days because I order replacement medications 3-4 months in advance, plus my regular stock… so I know I won’t run out. Now instead of having to do a count by hand at the end of the month or so I check them in when I receive them and simply run the reports I need.”

The Controlled Access Pharmacy (CAP) allows many medical professionals, including EMS, Pharmaceutical, Veterinary the ability to restock their units 24/7 and have real-time usage and inventory tracking. The CAP can check multiple forms of ID and will prompt for station or dispatch specific data.

All withdrawals are cataloged, time stamped and regulated by tech clearance/training level. A unique solution to today’s challenge of controlling access, tracking inventory and dispensing of products according to access protocol.

ScrubTrak Pro Tips: Keeping your Scrubs Sanitary

Posted on by John Van Horn

Being knowledgeable about the sanitation of your scrubs, and taking preventative measures to keep scrubs clean is key to avoiding the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses.

In a study conducted by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) stated more than 60% of uniforms worn by nurses and doctors who work in hospitals tested positive for dangerous bacteria.

To combat pesky bacteria, we’ve gathered a few scrub cleaning pro tips that will help keep these germs at bay:

Store your scrubs properly.

  • When you’re leaving the doctor’s office or hospital, take a moment to change into your normal attire. Remove your scrubs and place them in a sealable plastic bag, a large ziplock bag that can be reused is the way to go. This prevents people in your commute home from being exposed to the bacteria that is hanging out on your scrubs.

Consider getting a ScrubTrak dispenser for your medical facility.

  • Hospital grade laundering services provides a thorough, cleaning process that cannot be replicated in home washing machines and ensures scrubs are rid of infectious germs. Through automating the process for receiving and returning scrubs, ScrubTrak assists hospitals in complying with AORN’s recommendation for surgical attire to be laundered by a healthcare laundry facility to avoid the spread of infectious bacteria on scrubs of medical personnel who have patient interaction. By offering dispensing and return units for scrubs, and monitoring compliance through our real-time software system, hospital administrators can confidently comply with AORN. In addition, ScrubTrak’s return units allow for convenient and safe scrub pick-up by laundering staff.

Wash after every wear.

  • Although your scrubs may seem clean, perhaps you only worked a 4 hour shift; regardless, your scrubs need to be washed with hot water after every single wear. It is not a matter of personal hygiene, rather about the prevention of nasty bacteria and viruses.

For hospital and medical facility managers, we highly recommend that you check out the ScrubTrak site and features.

How ScrubTrak Can Help With Compliance and Infection Prevention in Medical Facilities

Posted on by John Van Horn

ScrubTrak™ is a breakthrough in scrub dispensing technology. It helps medical facilities manage their scrub supply more efficiently—reducing inventory shrinkage and increasing the bottom line. And it ensures doctors, nurses and techs always have clean medical scrubs available.

This simple, intuitive system eliminates hoarding, shortages and unauthorized use. We estimate that ScrubTrak™ can reduce inventory shrinkage by 90%.

Contaminated linen, including scrubs and coats, have been identified as a source of large numbers of pathogenic microorganisms. ScrubTrak offers infection prevention solutions by helping control this risk in healthcare organizations by providing return units in key locations throughout the campus. Having multiple return unit locations ensures that employees do not have to travel far distances in contaminated uniforms.

Hospital grade laundering services provides a thorough, cleaning process that cannot be replicated in home washing machines and ensures clean medical scrubs that are rid of infectious germs. Through automating the process for receiving and returning scrubs, ScrubTrak assists hospitals in complying with AORN’s recommendation for surgical attire to be laundered by a healthcare laundry facility to avoid the spread of infectious bacteria on scrubs of medical personnel who have patient interaction. By offering dispensing and return units for scrubs, and monitoring compliance through our real-time software system, hospital administrators can confidently comply with AORN. In addition, ScrubTrak’s return units allow for convenient and safe scrub pick-up by laundering staff.

For hospital and medical facility managers, we highly recommend that you check out the ScrubTrak site and features.

Vending Solutions in Public Premises

Posted on by John Van Horn

If you happened to walk by a vending machine in a public place, you probably wouldn’t bat an eye. However, if you took a closer look inside the contents of THESE University and Public vending machines, you just may stop for a closer look. Make no mistake: vending machines house a lot more than just soft drinks and potato chips these days, as these particular solutions go a long way towards proving.

  1. Shippensburg University

Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania recently made headlines when it outfitted its campus with a vending machine stocked entirely with health-related items. Located within the campus’ student health center, this innovative dispenser caused a great deal of controversy when the university announced it would offer Plan B, also commonly referred to as “the morning-after pill.”

  1. Sacramento California

Nothing is worse than needing a roll of duct tape and not having it, but thanks to one dedicated vending machine manufacturer employees of many Sacramento government agencies will never have to worry about this again. Many vending machines have been deployed throughout the area that are stocked with industrial equipment like duct tape, rubber gloves and more.

  1. The University of Florida

Students at the University of Florida will never find themselves without a notebook, pencil or other important item in the near future. The University of Florida recently installed office vending machine options in their libraries that sell school supplies like note cards, blue books, pens, pencils and beyond.

Benefits of Vending Machines for Hospitals

The key takeaway from these vending machines is that the machines themselves can be highly customized to fit the environment they’re placed in. Take a scrub vending machine, for example. ScrubTrak is one such option that not only allows medical professionals quick access to scrubs and other important items they need to do their jobs, but it also offers an unparalleled level of functionality to businesses. ScrubTrak allows a vending machine to be stocked with multiple sizes of items, can track both purchase and returns for detailed reporting, offers insight into buying patterns to be used for more informed purchasing decisions in the future.

Benefits of Vending Machines for Office Employees and Management

 

These benefits don’t just stop at universities and hospitals, however – thanks to companies like iVendTech, office and IT employees can also get in on the action. iVendTech offers a wide range of office vending machine solutions designed to make sure employees always have access to the important office supplies they need when they need them the most. These machines also come with will-call lockers, real-time reporting, advanced inventory management and control capabilities and more.

One thing is for sure – the days of vending machines being “just” a way to get a quick snack in during the day are long gone. With innovative dispensers offering an incredible level of customization based on the environment they find themselves in, they’re taking a bold step in the direction of becoming an integral fixture in all of our lives once again.

For hospital and medical facility managers, we highly recommend that you check out the ScrubTrak site and features.

For office supplies and IT management we highly recommend that you check out the iVendTech site and features.

The Importance of Medical Supply Vending Machines in Fire Stations

Posted on by John Van Horn

When you’re a fire fighter, the costs associated with saving lives should never be your top priority. Despite that, ballooning costs are one of the primary challenges that fire stations face all around the country on a daily basis. Luckily, the tides are turning in favor of us all as medical vending machines are being looked at as a way to not only make all of the life-saving equipment necessary to do their jobs readily available at all times, but also to help curb rising costs at the exact same time.

Tulsa, Oklahoma

One example of a situation where medical supply vending machines are having a positive impact comes from Tulsa, Oklahoma, which has already begun the process of rolling out at least one EMS supply vending machine to several fire stations in the area. Fire department officials predict that this one bold move can help save between 30 and 40 percent from traditional medical supply costs for a number of interesting reasons.

For starters, all of the medical vending machines in the Tulsa area will be linked to one another via an active Internet connection. This allows coordinators and other team leaders to get a deeper sense of the products that they have on hand, how they’re being used and which items need to be readily available at a moment’s notice based on the type of real-time, actionable information that only analytics can provide. Even if an incident occurs in the middle of the night, firefighters will have instant access to any critical piece of equipment that they need.

This move is designed to not only save firefighters time, but also to help save taxpayers in the area money as well.

Intelligent Dispensing Solutions

IDS is one of the leading providers of EMT, EMS and general medical Supply Vending machines worldwide. As a company founded on the idea that traditional challenges faced by healthcare professionals can be solved with innovative solutions, the company works hard with fire stations, hospitals and similar types of facilities to address all of their needs in the most forward-thinking ways possible.

IDS’ medical vending machines are designed to empower professionals to not only keep all of the medical supplies and other products needed on hand, but also to help maintain a greater level of control over their inventory and a greater level of security over the supplies themselves at the exact same time.

These are just a few of the reasons why EMS supply vending machine options are playing such an important role in fire stations and other facilities all over the world. As technology continues to advance and companies like IDS continue to push the envelope in terms of things like security and control, it is truly exciting to think about the form that medical supply lockers and similar solutions will take in just a few short years time.