Pharmacy Services

Pharmacy team (L to R): Miranda Hall, Justin Postier, Jo Ann Gower and Becca Leath. Not pictured: Ryann Richey.

Big changes have come to the IHCRC pharmacy operation. Phase one of the major IHCRC facility expansion project was completed in mid-June and Indian Health Care's entire pharmacy operation moved into completely new quarters in the northeast corner of the building. The move brings many welcome improvements and enhancements to the IHCRC pharmacy for both staff and patients alike. For starters, the pharmacy staff enjoy having room to move about without bumping into each other in their much expanded work area.

A large sub-waiting room provides a comfortable area for patients to wait for a prescription to be filled. Patients can now use a new exterior door to enter the pharmacy directly without passing through the main front lobby.

The pharmacy waiting area includes expanded consultation spaces for the pharmacists to educate patients on how to take their medications properly.

The pharmacy has added two drive-thru lanes for patients to pick up prescription refills without needing to leave their car. The convenience of the drive-thru lanes further minimizes the need for patients to stand in line waiting to pick up a prescription.

In recent years, IHCRC has made a number of improvements to increase the efficiency and capacity of its in-house pharmacy. In 2004, the IHCRC pharmacy underwent a previous renovation and modernization effort. The centerpiece of this undertaking was the installation of an automated dispensing system, a robot affectionately known as "Bob." (See photo at the top of the page) The robot fills prescriptions quickly, while reducing the potential for errors. Handling approximately 70% of the prescriptions, the robot automatically counts the medication, fills the bottle and attaches the label.

With the robotic automation system, the pharmacy staff is able to serve twice as many patients and significantly shorten the waiting time, while providing our patients with the most professional and accurate service possible. IHCRC expresses its continued appreciation to the many Tulsa philanthropic foundations who helped make the pharmacy automation project a reality.