The Sabal cart is a new complete system that helps ensure that the right medication is given to the correct patient in the correct dosage form at the right time. The cart is an automated drug storage cabinet that may be used to take medications to the patient's bedside.  This reduces the possibility of medication errors occuring. Barcoding technology provides the advantage of scanning both the medication and the patient. The scanning of the medication is done to compare the medication given to the medication order to ensure they are the same and that the medication has been ordered for that specific patient.

We are moving towards implementing barcode technology in our medication administration process. This trial will provide an opportunity to explore the best methods of implementing newer technologies to continue to provide a safe enviroment for our patients. This trial has two phases. In the first, we will be using the cart as a medication cabinet for specific patients with a limited number of ordered and stock medications. Only a few patients in the Sub-Acute Unit will have medications retrieved from the Sabal cart. The second phase will include using the cart as the sole medication delivery system in the Sub-Acute Unit. The pharmacist will enter medication orders into the system and the nursing staff will be using the cart to provide medication delivery to the patient's bedside. This phase will provide a more complete examination of the Sabal cart design functionality to provide a safe, efficient, technology-assisted process of administering medications. The trial will be completed in early February, at that time we will evaluate whether this is a system that we would like to pursue as a hospitalwide service.