RTLS and pick-to-light for pharmacy workflow automation
1. Zero-Wire Intake & Association
The process begins with the “0-wire” installation philosophy: the Bluetooth gateways are simply plugged into standard power outlets, and the tags are ready to use out of the box with a 3-year battery life.
- Wireless Onboarding: When a new medication order is received at the reception desk (A1), the technician enters the patient’s phone number into the cloud-hosted software.
- Instant Linking: The technician picks up an available tag. With one click in the software, the digital order is “married” to that physical tag. There is no wiring or complex pairing; the gateway detects the tag automatically via Bluetooth beacons.
2. Pick-to-Light Preparation
During the preparation phase (B1/B2), the tag serves as a visual guide to ensure no order is forgotten or delayed.
- Priority Visuals: If an order needs to be ready in 15 minutes, the software triggers the Pick-to-Light function. The tag on the prep basket begins to flash Red. This visual cue allows staff to scan the room and instantly identify which orders require immediate attention without checking a screen.
- Multi-User Sorting: If two technicians are working in the same zone, the system uses different colours (e.g., Green vs. Blue) to indicate which baskets belong to which staff member’s current task list.
3. The “Passera” Retrieval Workflow
The most significant time savings occur at the retrieval counters (E1/E2). Instead of leafing through bags in alphabetical dividers, the cashier uses the Pick-to-Light retrieval method.
- One-Click Locate: When a patient arrives at the counter (F1), the cashier enters their phone number. The software sends a signal to the specific tag hanging in the cabinet (D1/D2).
- Visual Guidance: The tag immediately flashes. In a cabinet of 500 bags, the correct one stands out instantly. This eliminates the “search and find” delay and maintains patient confidentiality, as the cashier doesn’t have to read every name tag on the shelf.
- Audible Backup: If the bag is obscured or tucked behind another, the cashier can trigger a buzzer on the tag to locate it by sound.
4. Button-Press Order Tracking Confirmation
The “Button Tag” technology ensures the software is always in sync with physical reality without requiring a computer terminal at every shelf.
- Physical Confirmation: Once the cashier grabs the flashing bag, they simply press the button on the tag.
- Automatic Handover: This physical button press sends a wireless signal back to the gateway, which tells the software, “Order has been physically picked and handed over.”
- Workflow Completion: The light stops flashing, the order is marked “Completed” in the system, and the tag is automatically unlinked and ready for the next patient.
The Workflow Revolution: Before vs. After
The “Before”: The Chaos of Manual Searching
In a traditional pharmacy “Lab,” the workflow is often hindered by physical bottlenecks. Staff rely on alphabetical filing in “Passera” cabinets, which is prone to human error. A misspelt name or a bag filed under the wrong letter leads to a frustrated patient and a stressed cashier. Preparation is reactive, and tracking refrigerated items or family orders requires manual cross-referencing.
The “After”: Precision, Speed, and Compliance
By deploying a zero-wire, IoT-enabled system, the pharmacy transforms into a high-efficiency environment. With devices offering a 3-year battery life and self-deployment capabilities, there is no need for drilling or complex IT infrastructure.
The End-to-End Workflow:
Smart Association: Orders are linked to tags via phone numbers (99% accuracy improvement) and hosted on secure Canadian or European servers.
Visual Preparation: Tags pulse Red when an order is 15 minutes from the patient’s arrival.
Instant Retrieval: Cashiers trigger a unique LED colour (Blue/Green/Red) to find the bag instantly among hundreds.
Button-Press Confirmation: Staff simply presses the physical button on the tag to archive the order and update the cloud instantly.
Why This Matters for Canada & Europe
Data Residency: Your patient data never leaves your region. We offer dedicated hosting in Canada (PIPEDA compliant) and Europe (GDPR compliant) to ensure the highest standards of pharmacy confidentiality.
Plug-and-Play Deployment: No technical support is required for installation. Plug in the gateways, activate the tags, and your system is live.
Operational Sustainability: With a 3-year battery life, your workflow remains uninterrupted, and maintenance is reduced to a simple battery swap once every few years.
Call us to know about healthcare RTLS solutions