Getting Started with Technology
Assess your current technology and explore additional potential technologies by visiting the Rx Technology Resource Center.
Take an inventory of your currently installed pharmacy technologies in order to enhance your practice capabilities.
Initial questions to consider when deciding upon adding a new technology:
- Do you lease or buy?
- Is this a long-term purchase and will you have a chance to upgrade as newer and better options are released?
- Are there significant time or cost saving advantages to this purchase?
- Will this purchase integrate with existing technology in your operation?3
RESEARCH
You may want to do some initial research on what type of new technology you are interested in, then explore different vendors and offerings. Computer Talk for the Pharmacist has a Buyers Guide for Pharmacy Technology is a good first step in looking at various systems, vendors, and capabilities.3
It is good practice to reach out to your peers and discuss their choices along with their experiences with a particular product. Be specific when asking about their satisfaction and experiences. Use the McKesson ConnectSM Community is one way you can pose questions virtually to other owners.
Consider asking questions such as:
- What sold them on the product?
- What was the installation like?
- Now that they have it, is there something they had expected but did not get?
- Was there anything they would do differently?
REFERENCES
1. National Community Pharmacists Association. 2012 NCPA Digest. http://www.ncpanet.org/ Accessed February 14, 2013.
2. Rx Technology Resource Center. http://www.rxtechnologyresource.com Accessed February 15, 2013.
3. ComputerTalk for the Pharmacist. "2012 Retail Buyers Guide." http://www.computertalk.com/content/view/718/217/ Accessed February 15, 2013.