Omnicell vs Pyxis

JewlB · Nov 7, 2019

I have been a nurse over 20 years. Used every technology out there. Also been involved in making decisions. I can say by far Pyxis is the “ NIkE” of dispensing cabinets for nurses—- if you take a look at at their website- they got acquired by BD a couple years ago and the focus appears to be all around safety and NOT just at a cabinet but also making sure pharmacy prepares the right medication- especially IVs!! All the way to when we administer- i have to say a company focused on safety through the entire process - not to mention a very intuitive product- has my vote!

lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN · Nov 7, 2019

Omnicell is more user friendly to me. Pyxis always had those damn doors that wouldn’t open.

Wuzzie · Nov 7, 2019

12 minutes ago, lovingtheunloved said:
Pyxis always had those damn doors that wouldn’t open.

We have perfected the "pyxis pound". It's sort of like the old precordial thump but for a machine. Works every time. On the machine not the humans.

JewlB · Nov 7, 2019

I cant tell you how many times meds got jammed in the omni slinky dispenser- not worth the headache Nightmare

JewlB · Nov 7, 2019

On 9/21/2018 at 8:09 AM, dianearc said:
I totally agree that with automated med systems, if a medication hasn't been approved/verified by pharmacy, it would not populate on the system (which can be frustrating if you urgently need a med) but it's also set up this way as a safety feature for pharmacists to verify meds ordered with a pt's med lists, interactions, allergies, prior to dispensing. There are those meds that may be needed for emergencies which one can override. In emergency settings like the OR, ICU, PACU where a pt's state may change rapidly and in a spur's moment, the override feature is at its best funtion (but these settings also have providers at bedside to give the verbal approval). I hate pyxis because some hospitals complement the pyxis with the manual-draws that you mentioned. I find this unsafe and even tedious. I think the manual counting of controlled substances is outdated and newer systems like the omnicell should be in place to avoid this. The return and waste feature is amazing on the Omnicell. With Omnicell, you can also waste your meds using the "anywhereRN" feature on your COW...basically on the go with another RN sign off. Pyxis system does not offer this...at least not that I know of. But thanks for the input. I feel that as you use Omnicell more, you will find it to be better than pyxis.

Just to update you. Yes the Pyxis system does offer the ability to waste remotely and also pyxis can b set up so nurses dont have to count- this is a pharmacy decision.

PeakRN · Nov 8, 2019

On 9/20/2018 at 7:46 PM, dianearc said:
Do you prefer Omnicell or Pyxis? & if you're in NYS please list your hospital and what they use.
I prefer Omnicell but wanted to get a group idea.

Having used both I greatly prefer the Omnicell. I like that we can stock both medications and supplies in the same machine. From a supply management point of view it's much easier to keep staff compliant when their IV fluids, tubing, et cetera are all in the same machine.

Wuzzie · Nov 8, 2019

Peak, you can do that with a Pyxis as well. When I worked in PICU literally EVERYTHING was in the Pyxis except linen.

JewlB · Nov 8, 2019

19 hours ago, Wuzzie said:
We have perfected the "pyxis pound". It's sort of like the old precordial thump but for a machine. Works every time. On the machine not the humans.

What do you mean? Never heard of this nor experienced?

Wuzzie · Nov 8, 2019

4 minutes ago, JewlB said:
What do you mean? Never heard of this nor experienced?

When cubie doors don't open you have to thump them with the ulnar side of your fist to access. If you're old enough to remember it was sort of like on Happy Days when Fonzie thumped the jukebox.

PeakRN · Nov 8, 2019

21 hours ago, Wuzzie said:
Peak, you can do that with a Pyxis as well. When I worked in PICU literally EVERYTHING was in the Pyxis except linen.

Can those items be managed by supply stream though? Anything we have added has to be done by pharmacy.

Wuzzie · Nov 9, 2019

I honestly have no idea although at the time we really didn’t have many meds in the Pyxis because it was PICU and our meds were weight-based so they were prepared by pharmacy.