Automated Dispensing Cabinet User Survey on Dispensing Narcotics

Background : Managing narcotics in healthcare institutions involves a complex, manual process that is both time-consuming and prone to errors.To mitigate these challenges, Samsung Medical Center implemented four Automated Dispensing Cabinets (ADCs) in the inpatient pharmacy in February 2024, replacing the traditional double-lock metal cabinets previously used for narcotics storage.This study reports on the workflow changes following the implementation of ADCs as narcotic storage solutions and evaluates user satisfaction through surveys. Methods :A satisfaction survey was conducted among registered pharmacists who used ADCs for dispensing narcotics.The online survey, consisting of 10 questions, was administered from October 14 to October 16, 2024.Results : A total of 30 participants completed the survey.Most respondents reported that ADCs provided greater security for medication management (96.7%) and facilitated easier inventory control (75.9%) compared to traditional metal narcotic cabinets.Regarding usability, respondents noted that ADCs helped prevent dispensing errors (96.7%), were easy to learn and use (86.7%), and reduced drug dispensing time (73.3%).In terms of overall work efficiency, all respondents agreed that the ADC improved narcotics management, with 73.3% actively recommending its use.Additionally, 65.5% of respondents stated that their burdens related to narcotics duties had decreased.However, two statements received negative feedback: only 33.3% believed the ADC system was free from systemic errors, and 26.7% felt that any systemic errors that occurred could be resolved * 1