Pyxis systems ???

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Oct 24, 2002

We have used Pyxis for several years-it can be frustrating when the orders haven't been entered, but we can overide many meds, and get them to the patient quickly. At least the meds are available on the floor, and we don't have to wait for pharmacy to send them. There is better tracking of med withdrawals, if someone has forgotten to sign one out on the MAR. It's a good system, when everything works right!

Jammer · Oct 24, 2002

So Mimi, here's what I'm having a difficult time visualizing.....How exactly do you use it. I mean, do you walk back and forth from the machine for each patient? I REALLY can't picture that. It would be impossible. Maybe you take all the meds you need for all the patients and put them into a traditional med cart and then make your pass? Could you get a little more into the actually nuts and bolts of using the machine?

KaroSnowQueen, RN · Oct 24, 2002

We do not use the Pyxis for all med passes, but it has all narcs, phenergan, ASA, other common meds so if pharmacy hasn't deliveered, we can get them quickly. It's a piece of cake, and beats the heck out of counting each cart, etc.

Intrigued by the person who asked if the pyxis would be used for each med pass, requiring you to walk back and forth between patients. We are not allowed to use med carts in our hospital, or in any of the seven sister hospitals to ours. We walk back and forth between every patient. We were told med carts block the hallway and that there was the possibility, although really unlikely, that someone would reach into an accidentally left unlocked cart and steal something, get sick and sue us.

Back to the pyxis, it's very nice, although ours has a fingerprint access system, which is a little too "Big Brother" for me.

Scavenger'sWife, RN · Oct 24, 2002

We use the Pyxis sytem for all meds except refrigerated meds. It is very easy to use and provides a good tracking system. Don't have to do a narc count at the end of each shift, which is great. We run a "discrepencies" listing at the end of each shift, and fax that to pharmacy. THe Pyxis also can access meds according to time of day, too. You can just tell it you want John Doe's meds for 1000 (time) and that is all that will be acccessable for you. Saves lots of time.

We used to withdraw all the meds for our pts for the 10 am pass all at once. We would put a pt's meds in a baggie with the printout the Pyxis makes and attach it to the MAR and leave them in the med room during our med pass. But recently the hospital made us quit this - JCAHO regs. So now what most of us do is withdraw maybe 3 or 4 patients' meds at a time, bag them, attach to the MAR, and we carry all of these MARs with us to the rooms. Then go back to the Pyxis and get the next 3 or 4 pts meds. The only time it is a mess is when we have student nurses and all of us there at the same time, all of us wanting meds. We all try to be polite tho....if someone needs a med STAT we will log off the machine and let that RN ahead of us.

KarafromPhilly · Oct 24, 2002

Fingerprint access sounds really scary, although probably much more convenient than changing your password every time you turn around!

CCRNAF · Oct 24, 2002

We use the pyxis system with the fingerprinting...not all that great to use. Sometimes it takes several minutes for it to register your fingerprint. As for the pyxis itself...easy access and will record each time you enter the system in case you forget to mark the mars.

Rena RN 2003, RN · Oct 24, 2002

i like pyxis. we have 2 on our med/surg floors so there isn't always the crowd at having just one. but the hospital requires that you walk back and forth in between patients. to be caught doing otherwise is a case for a write up.

our fingerprinting works great though. no trouble at all logging in to get meds. if it doesn't take the first time, we clean with scotch tape and it's sure to go on the second.

we sometimes have issues with meds not being entered into pyxis from pharmacy but a quick call and it's all set up with no hard feelings on either side (mostly because pharmacy is usually on top of things).

amy111 · Oct 25, 2002

We recently went to pyxis on our floor. We use it for all medications, except refrigerated meds also. Everyone here really loves it. We only pull for one patient at a time. It has helped track med errors, reduce lost charges and we no longer have to wait for Pharmacy to deliver meds to the floor. We have BioID (fingerprint login) however it is not actually a record of your fingerprint. The information from several points on your pad is encrypted into the system. We have had a few people who have had difficulty logging in, so our pharmacy has them log in with a password.

baseline · Oct 25, 2002

We use pyxis. Love it. It takes a little time to get used to, but like alot of things, when used properly can really be beneficial.

CC NRSE · Oct 25, 2002

we use the pyxis for all meds,...including refrigerated ones. i am in a cvicu so it is not so bad with 1-2 patients. i can't imagine having 5 or 6!!!! :eek: :eek:

Jammer · Oct 25, 2002

Thanks to everyone who replied. Unfortunately, I think I'm even more freaked out now. The unit I work on is a step down unit. Folks with wounds, post surgical patients, patients that need a course of IVAB's and the like. Since the med-surg floors are kicking these folks out earlier and ealier, we have some pretty sick folks. Our license is actually almost the same a nursing home though and in a lot of respects, the work load is similar. We are full at about 25 patients. I do all the C.S.'s, three quarters of the admissions, (which are many), all the meds and all the charting. The meds are heavy and some nights it's literally all I can do to gets the meds done on time using the good old traditional med cart. The idea of going back and forth to this new Pyxis for each individual patients meds sounds absolutely impossible. I guess I'll find out soon enough. :eek: