Before you buy
Choosing the machine
Many LTC pharmacies run packagers from more than one vendor. The right fit depends on your volume, your drug mix and how you run cycle fill, the scheduled refill of every resident's medications.
LTC pharmacy automation
We help long-term care pharmacies get results from multi-med packaging automation.
We work with you on choosing the right packager, preparing your drug data, connecting it to FrameworkLTC and keeping reject rates down after go-live.
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Why it matters
Pharmacies buy a packager for the throughput. Most of that throughput is won or lost in the setup. Charles Lenzner has done that setup many times as an implementation specialist at Omnicell, and works with pharmacies directly through Lenzner Advisory.
Where packager projects go wrong
See how we helpBefore it arrives
The homework and the integration
Your team builds the NDC list and drug database that tell the pharmacy system which drugs go to automation. NDC is the National Drug Code on every drug package. IT connects the packager to FrameworkLTC. Pharmacies routinely underestimate both.
After go-live
Reject rates
Vision inspection rejects pouches with broken or half tablets, dust or wrong counts. Customers expect a reject rate under 2%. Most reject problems trace back to cassette calibration and dust.
How it fits together
From order to pouch
A multi-med packager sits in the middle of a chain. Each link has to be set up correctly before the machine can run at the speed you paid for.
- 1
Order arrives
In the pharmacy system, usually FrameworkLTC.
- 2
Routed to automation
If the drug's NDC is on the automation list.
- 3
Packager server
Receives the order over dedicated IPs and firewall rules.
- 4
Cassettes dispense
Each cassette is calibrated for one NDC and sits on a feeder base.
- 5
Vision inspection
Checks each pouch for broken tablets, dust and wrong counts.
- 6
Med pass
Passed pouches go to the facility. Rejects are reviewed and corrected.
How Lenzner Advisory helps
All services
Automation readiness assessment
Find out whether your pharmacy is ready for automation, and what it should buy.
Vendor selection support
Requirements, demos, quotes and contract questions, worked through with someone who has installed these machines.
Implementation and go-live
The NDC homework, the IT and FrameworkLTC integration, and staff training through go-live.
Performance tune-up
For machines already installed: lower reject rates, and fixes for cassette and workflow problems.Process
How an engagement runs
First call
A short call about your pharmacy, your volume and what you want from automation.
Assessment
Charles reviews your workflow, order volume, drug mix and current systems on site, with follow-up by video call.
Plan
You get a written plan covering what to buy or fix, what has to happen before install, and who does each part.
Install and go-live
Charles works alongside your team and IT through the NDC homework, the FrameworkLTC connection, staff training and the first weeks of production.
Follow-up
After go-live, reject reports and cassette performance are reviewed until the machine runs at the rate you expect.
For a new install, the time from first call to go-live is usually three to six months.
What pharmacies say
Talk to Charles about your packager project.
Whether you are planning your first machine or trying to get an installed one to perform, a first call is the quickest way to find out where you stand.