Story Posted: 2025-07-09
Expanding Efficiency and Safety: Pyxis MedStations at St. Paul’s
From the St. Paul’s Hospital and Foundation 2024-2025 Annual Review
In 2024, the Pharmacy team at St. Paul’s was thrilled to expand the use of Pyxis MedStations to the Operating Room (OR) at St. Paul’s Hospital with the support of St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation. “This investment represents a transformative step forward,” explains Patrick Robertson, Executive Director, Provincial Clinical & Support Services for Pharmacy Services, “and will enhance patient safety, standardization and operational efficiency within our surgical suites.”
Pxyis MedStations are automated medication dispensing systems that provide secure medication storage on Hospital units. These stations are stocked by pharmacy teams and create efficiencies for medical staff by enabling them to access the correct medications at the correct dosage for each patient. Through the support of St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation, 12 MedStations have been added to St. Paul’s, giving all inpatient SPH units the capacity to transfer to the Pyxis model of medication distribution.
With this latest expansion into the OR, the Pharmacy team is rolling out a new service model for the Pyxis MedStation machines across the province. This new Pyxis MedStation service model will improve the management of medications and supplies, ensuring that all rules and regulations are also followed. The strategic use of Pyxis machines will ensure that medication can be delivered to health care workers in a structured and highly efficient way that prioritizes patient safety.
By dedicating MedStations for use by specific teams within the OR, this model ensures that narcotics and other controlled substances are securely stored and properly tracked for Anesthesia professionals, following all safety guidelines. At the same time, a separate Pyxis unit has been set up for OR support staff, giving them easy access to routine medications and supplies needed for preparing and maintaining standardized OR kits. This two-unit system helps improve inventory control, reduce errors and ensure smooth surgical procedures.
By developing this provincial model, the St. Paul’s Pharmacy team is setting a new standard for managing medications and supplies in the OR — one that could be expanded to other hospitals in Saskatchewan by the provincial pharmacy team. “We extend our deepest appreciation to SPH Foundation for their commitment to advancing health care excellence,” concludes Patrick. “Their support is directly impacting patient care, optimizing OR efficiency and reinforcing the highest standards of safety in our hospital and beyond.”