St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, a leading tertiary public healthcare provider, has taken a significant step towards enhancing medication safety in its compounding pharmacy. The hospital has partnered with Veriphi, a New Zealand-based company, to pilot an innovative AI-driven and cloud-based solution that utilizes laser spectrometry to verify the identity and concentration of intravenous drugs during the compounding process.
The decision to implement this advanced technology comes in response to the growing challenges faced by St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, particularly in its sterile compounding pharmacy where most chemotherapy and supportive oncology medicines are prepared. Andrew Cording, the hospital’s chief pharmacist, highlighted the increasing demand for oncology and haematology services, which has put immense pressure on the compounding services to maintain efficiency, precision, and the highest standards of safety and quality.
Despite implementing rigorous practices such as mandatory double and triple-checking of compounded products, Cording acknowledged that the compounding process remains susceptible to errors. Factors like workforce pressures, fatigue, and cognitive overload can impact performance in this high-risk environment. Recognizing the critical importance of medication safety, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne sought innovative solutions to reduce reliance on manual checks and enhance overall safety measures.
The collaboration with Veriphi was initiated following a medication compounding error in the past, prompting the hospital to explore additional safety measures beyond existing systems. The laser-based technology provided by Veriphi has shown promising results, successfully identifying errors before reaching patients and alleviating the cognitive burden on staff. The ability to verify drug identity and concentration in real-time through a non-invasive process has been described as a “game-changer” by Cording, emphasizing the paramount goal of reducing medication errors in oncology infusions.
Looking ahead, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne plans to expand the application of Veriphi’s technology to other medicines and high-risk areas such as paediatrics and clinical trials. The hospital aims to evaluate the integration of this technology into broader pharmacy services as it matures. Additionally, Veriphi is poised to secure supply deals in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States following the successful rollout at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne.
In parallel to this initiative, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne is also involved in a project with La Trobe University to test AI technology that predicts patient disposition in the emergency department, supporting clinical decision-making processes. Cording emphasized the hospital’s commitment to medication safety, stating that digital health technologies must enhance safety without adding complexity. The goal is to augment human checks with a digital safety net that supports staff and ultimately protects patients.
In conclusion, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne’s proactive approach towards implementing innovative solutions like Veriphi’s technology reflects its dedication to continuous improvement and evidence-based innovation in healthcare delivery. By prioritizing medication safety and leveraging cutting-edge technologies, the hospital remains at the forefront of ensuring the highest standards of care for its patients.
