A Match Made in Heaven: Industry Specific Cabinetry

Planning a pharmacy redesign? There's a lot to think about. A pharmacy redesign isn't just about slapping on some fresh paint and redoing your floor plan. You have to figure out how to accommodate industry-specific storage standards for your workspace, clean room, and supply room. You also need to address specific requirements for HIPAA privacy regulations and ensure the safety of your employees and customers.

Fortunately, a pharmacy design specialist can help you do just that. They understand the unique needs you face as a pharmacist and can offer you the right storage options.

Why do you need industry-specific cabinetry and other storage?

You must comply with HIPAA regulations

The HIPAA regulations that went into effect in 2013 have placed significantly stricter controls on patient privacy. Patients can now restrict who sees their personal health information (PHI), and all security breaches must now be reported unless the disclosure is allowed under the privacy rule – not just those that pose a significant risk to affected individuals.

Because of that, workstations must now be centralized, with strict access controls. Portable devices like tablets and laptops used to access PHI must be locked away when not in use. A pharmacy design specialist can help you purchase and, if necessary, create the exact cabinetry and other storage you need for workstations and portable devices so that there is no risk of a security breach.

You need to make sure your workspace (and clean room) has enough of the right storage

As determined by the USP Chapter 797, published by the United States Pharmacopeia, the materials for the pharmacy clean room and any storage must contribute to the environment's cleanliness and must be built to withstand heavy use by personnel. It must also be able to withstand disinfection cleanings that will be done frequently over a long period of time. The materials used cannot deteriorate over time, so as to limit contamination and for good particle control.

Also, dispensing areas and workstations need properly sized pharmacy shelving and cabinetry of the right heights and configurations so that supplies are easy to reach and inventory is neatly, efficiently, and intuitively stored. This makes for a more streamlined workflow, because you and your technicians can find what you need efficiently. A pharmacy design specialist can provide you with proper storage so that your work areas are set up for best efficiency.

You need to protect yourself from theft – and help ensure everyone's physical safety, too

It's a sobering fact of the pharmaceutical industry that theft – even armed robbery – is a significant risk. Addicts crave controlled substances like oxycodone, Percocet, and Hydrocodone, and unfortunately, many will do whatever they have to in order to get it. While theft like shoplifting causes financial loss, pharmacy thefts can put your customers and employees in danger if thieves are armed or particularly desperate. Protect your customers, your employees, and yourself by allowing a pharmacy design specialist to set up your pharmacy so that all medications – and especially controlled substances – are locked safely away and kept hidden from public view.

Don't try to "work around" your need for specialized industry-specific cabinetry and other fixtures by attempting to hire a general contractor to order, build, or install what you need. Only a pharmacy design specialist has the expertise to know what you need based on your pharmacy-specific workflow needs, clean room protocols, privacy requirements, and safety protections. Address the needs now by working with a specialist, and you'll avoid many headaches in the future.