Link to EAHP Statements
- Section 1 – Introductory Statements and Governance: Statements – 1.1, 1.7
- Section 5 – Patient Safety and Quality Assurance: Statements – 5.1, 5.2, 5.10, 5.11
Abstract
Hospital pharmacy automation holds the potential to enhance medication safety, efficiency, and resource optimization. However, interoperability remains a critical barrier to widespread adoption. The absence of vendor-neutral communication protocols leads to integration challenges, increased costs, and limited flexibility in system implementations. Recognizing this challenge, EAHP launched a Special Interest Group (SIG) on Interoperability, bringing together hospital pharmacists and industry leaders to develop a standard communication framework for automation equipment, such as packs dispensing, unit dose dispensing robots and automated dispensing cabinets.
The EAHP SIG on Interoperability aims to establish a foundation for seamless automation integration by defining common use cases, developing a vendor-neutral communication protocol, and preparing for real-world validation. The goal is to create a standardized framework that simplifies procurement, implementation, and maintenance of automation solutions while ensuring interoperability between systems such as robotic dispensing, unit dose preparation, and automated storage.
The SIG follows a two-phase approach. First, hospital pharmacists document real-world workflows using a standardized narrative to establish common use cases. Then, vendors will translate these into technical specifications leveraging existing interoperability standards like FHIR, HL7, and IHE. Over the next 12 months, the SIG will refine these specifications in preparation for testing during a live Connectathon, where participants will evaluate interoperability in real-world scenarios.
As the SIG progresses, it will assess interoperability challenges, propose solutions, and engage stakeholders in the development of standardized communication protocols. Early vendor engagement has demonstrated a willingness to collaborate. The initiative is expected to reduce custom integration costs, facilitate automation adoption, and improve medication management workflows.
The EAHP SIG on Interoperability is laying the groundwork for a vendor-neutral approach to hospital pharmacy automation. By fostering collaboration between hospital pharmacists and industry leaders, this initiative seeks to accelerate automation adoption, enhance efficiency, and improve patient safety. The coming year will be critical in shaping the technical specifications and preparing for real-world validation, setting the stage for broader implementation across European hospital pharmacies and beyond
Learning Objectives
- Understand the Challenges of Interoperability in Hospital Pharmacy Automation
- Gain Insight into the EAHP SIG’s Approach to Standardization and Understand how vendor-neutral communication protocols can facilitate the adoption of automation technologies.
- Discuss a few example use cases the SIG is focusing on to make it more real for participants as they can relate to it.