Children’s Medical Center of Dallas First Hospital to “Go Live” With PARxD i.v.

Installation of robotic i.v. syringe preparation technology continues legacy of nationally recognized healthcare facility

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 23, 2002) – ForHealth Technologies announces today that Children's Medical Center of Dallas is the first hospital in the country to install and use PARxD i.v. as part of its overall emphasis on patient safety. PARxD i.v. is a robotic system that automates the compounding and labeling of up to 300 syringes per hour with an accuracy rate far exceeding manual processes.   

“PARxD i.v. increases patient safety and decreases operating costs, so it creates long-term value for our hospital,” says John Tourville, Director of Pharmacy at Children’s Medical Center, recognized by Child Magazine’s as one of the Top 10 Pediatric Hospitals in America. “Because the system is automated, it works 24 hours a day, which frees up four of our staff technicians to work on more patient-focused activities.”

PARxD i.v. employs barcode scanning, vision control systems and weight confirmation steps to assure that the correct drug is being prepared for the correct patient with precision and speed unmatched by any manual operation.

According to Tourville, the robot will generate a pay back in about one year, thanks to two critical areas of cost-savings: 1) reduced medication acquisition costs, and 2) elimination of need for additional pharmacy technicians. “We are realizing a cost reduction of almost 70% on heparin and saline flushes alone,” he says.

“Because patient safety and cost management are critical objectives for hospital administrators, they are looking closely at technology as solutions,” says ForHealth Technologies Chairman and CEO Rod Wolford, who has a three decade track record in healthcare administration and technology. “ForHealth is committed to increasing patient safety and lowering operating costs by automating the preparation of small volume i.v. medications.  We’re honored to be part of the overall automated solution that fulfills this commitment at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, an organization with a legacy of innovation and quality.”