Centralized Pyxis - Opinions??

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Mar 7, 2012

We don't have a centralized Pyxis but instead have two, one on each side of the unit, but of course certain meds are only stocked in one of the Pyxis units (such as Singulair, or Lyrica). Even with two sometimes we end up standing in line. Our COWs have drawers and I write the room numbers on each drawer, then go to the Pyxis and pull out all of the 2000-2200 meds due for each patient and put them in their respective drawer. It works for me and it works for my coworkers, too. Sometimes, if we're pulling out multiple meds and a nurse just needs to get in to get one med, we'll let them go ahead of us, or we'll just pull it out for them to save time.

tokmom, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2012

I can see that being a pain in the butt. We have a situation like that and we have to at times wait in line.

LynnLRN · Mar 11, 2012

That seems to be the concern every time i hear about switching to centralized pyxis. However, it never actually seems to be a problem. Where I work every floor slowly switched to centralized pyxis and I was pulled to the majority of them and everyone complained about it before it happened with that concern of waiting in line. Rarely does anyone wait in line and if you do its for a few seconds. Plus, it saves a ton of time rather than waiting for pharmacy to send you meds or them getting lost by the previous RN. Also, if your patient happens to drop a med on the floor you don't have to wait for pharmacy to send it you can just go get another one!

Swanlake · Mar 11, 2012

Thank you for sharing--We will have two as well---the thing is that the pharmacy has been stocking all of our meds (well, not narcs, etc) in the pts med cubbie drawers and, yes, we do have to dose slip some times for meds that they just forgot, but, overall, it has been relatively easy. Take the meds out of the drawer and administer them. With this change, we will be spending more time AWAY from the bedside and at the Pyxis---how this is going to increase patient satisfaction (what the Pharmacy said), I don't know. All I do know is this---we (RNs) are being asked to do more and more which compromises our patient care. With that being said, patient satisfaction is decreasing and I can't see where this change is going to help anything.....