Published: July 01, 2009 10:18 am      

Prescription dispenser works like an ATM, speeds process, clinic says

While the Urgent Care clinic claims to provide fast and affordable health care for non-emergency medical needs, the McAlester facility can now claim to be on the cutting edge when it comes to doling out prescription drugs. Say hello to InstyMeds.

InstyMeds is a fully automated ATM-style machine that dispenses prescription medications directly to patients immediately before leaving the office. The system is the first of its kind to be used in Oklahoma.

“This new system eliminates the need for patients to stop and wait at a pharmacy when they’re not feeling well or in pain,” Clinical Director at McAlester Urgent Care Jackie Turnbull, ARNP-C, said. “InstyMeds helps them get back on the road to recovery as soon as possible.”

The InstyMeds system automates the entire process from the prescriber issuing the prescription, to the patient obtaining their medications, and payment collection.

Patients can receive their medication by following five easy steps. First, they receive a code from their health care provider.

Next at the machine, patients touch “start” on the screen.

They then enter the InstyMeds code and thier birthdate for identification purposes.

After that, patients have to pay up before the drugs are dispensed. The machine accepts cash, credit cards or debit cards. The entire process typically takes a couple of minutes.

“It’s all about convenience,” Turnbull said.

After the InstyMeds dispenser performs a triple bar code safety check, the pre-packaged, labeled product is dispensed from the InstyMeds dispenser to the patient. Emily Theisen, a marketing coordinator for the machine, has confidence in the system.

“We have 700,000 InstyMeds machines in use and have never had a single error,” Theisen said. “With the triple bar code safety check, a wrong medication can never be dispensed.”

Lee H. Simpson, P.A.C. with McAlester Urgent Care says they have had the InstyMeds system for about three months. “Everyone is very interested, but it will take some getting used to,” Simpson said of the change.

“The added convenience will help to ensure that patients fill and take their prescribed medications leading to faster recovery,” Medical Director of McAlester Urgent Care Dr. Don Riley, D.O. said. “We continue to support our local pharmacies for the more complex issues or expensive medications; however for those patients that want the added convenience, the immediate service provided by the InstyMeds system can’t be beat.”

For more information on McAlester Urgent Care visit www.mrhcok.com. For more information about InstyMeds call 1-866-467-8963 or visit www.instymeds.com.

Contact Marketta Johnson at mjohnson@

mcalesternews.com.