Impact of an Automated Dispensing Cabinet-Regulated Community Insulin Vial Pilot Program on Inventory Costs

Purpose: To assess the impact of an automated dispensing cabinet-regulated community insulin vial pilot program on inventory costs associated with insulin regular, insulin NPH, and insulin detemir and average employee satisfaction survey scores. Methods: An automated dispensing cabinet-regulated community insulin vial pilot program was implemented in a designated surgical unit and a medical intensive care unit (MICU) of a Level I trauma center. Insulin dispensing volumes were analyzed over a 3-month period prior to implementation and 1-month after implementation. Pharmacy and nursing employee satisfaction were measured via voluntary anonymous pre-and post-implementation surveys. Results: Before implementation of the pilot program, inventory costs of insulin regular, insulin NPH, and insulin detemir averaged to $56.87, $30.92, and $1,699.68 in the designated surgical unit and $140.98, $23.50, and $1,720.44 in the MICU respectively. After implementation, inventory costs for insulin regular, insulin NPH, and insulin detemir were $63.07 (10.9% increase), $22.26 (28.1% decrease), $907.00 (46.6% decrease) for the designated surgical unit and $59.36 (57.9% decrease), $22.26 (28% decrease), and $0 for the MICU respectively. The reduction in MICU insulin detemir inventory costs after implementation was due to the lack of active orders. Average employee satisfaction scores decreased 57.4% (3.1 to 1.32, P < 0.0001) for nursing and increased 48.2% (2.51 to 3.72, P = 0.0007) for pharmacy after implementation. Conclusion: The implementation of a community insulin vial pilot program resulted in a decrease in insulin NPH inventory costs in both nursing units. Additionally a decrease in nursing employee satisfaction and an increase in pharmacy employee satisfaction were observed.