Background: This study evaluates the impact of Automated Dispensing Cabinets (ADCs) on workflow efficiency, cost savings, and medication therapy management in the Emergency Department of a Taiwanese regional hospital. ADCs are a key technology in healthcare, aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of medication management processes.
Method: Data were collected from the hospital’s information system, comparing one year before and one year after the ADC implementation. The study focused on the Emergency Department of Dajia Hospital and included a comparison with Shalu Hospital. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nurses and pharmacists to gather qualitative insights.
Results: The implementation of ADCs significantly improved workflow efficiency by reducing the time required for drug preparation and administration, leading to an average time savings of 25.68 min per patient. Cost savings were realized through a 10.99% reduction in nursing activity costs, amounting to $83,326.25 annually. The ADCs also enhanced medication therapy management by improving drug tracking and availability. However, challenges such as manual errors in medication dispensing and system limitations were identified.
Conclusions: ADCs improve operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness in Emergency Departments, reducing healthcare professionals’ workload and enhancing medication management. Despite these benefits, ongoing training and system optimization are necessary to address remaining challenges and enhance overall performance.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-025-12981-6.
Keywords: ADC; Cost-effectiveness; Cost-efficiency; Emergency department; Healthcare organization.