Pharmacy Technician Charles Small loads pills into the Opti-Fill 2, robotic refill processing machine. After you place your order via the touch call service at the hospital it is dropped into the pharmacy's computer system and processed by the Opti-fill 2. The machine fills 800 to 1,500 prescriptions per day. Photo by Loren Barnes

Longer waiting time as pharmacy upgrades

By Loren Barnes
Naval Hospital Jacksonville Public Affairs

Big changes are plan-ned for the Naval Hospital Jackson-ville Pharmacy over the next few months, all designed to improve service.

Partnering with National Naval Medical Center Bethesda, Naval Hospital Jacksonville is preparing to implement the latest generations of pharmacy dispensing systems. The Outpatient Pharmacy is being upgraded to a new state-of-the-art automation system that incorporates a barcode system. This system will mean a safer, more reliable process for you from start to finish.

Due to the extent of the renovations, which will begin in December and continue through February 2003, several phases will be needed to enable the pharmacy to provide services while, at the same time, revamping the production areas. During this time, pharmacy customers may experience longer waiting times than normal due to the construction going on inside the pharmacy.

Lt. Jody Dreyer, Out-patient Pharmacy division officer said, ''The Pharmacy staff will try to minimize customer wait time and inconvenience during this construction but would appreciate customer pa-tience.'' He said, ''Everyone should keep in mind that the new system is to enhance patient safety.

Customers are also encouraged to utilize the pharmacy call-in and internet refill options as much as possible to place refill orders to reduce the number of customers being seen at the pharmacy itself.

To place refill orders through the dial-in refill system, dial (local) 542-7410 (local), 1-800-628-7427 (automated refill), 542-7405/6 (general information).

To place a refill order online go to the Naval Hospital's website navalhospitaljax.com and simply click the ''Pharmacy Online FastLink'' on the website's introductory page. You will then be offered a form asking you for your sponsor's ID number, the prescription number, etc. Refills can be picked up conveniently at the drive-thru pharmacy pick-up building located in the hospital parking lot.

As the construction project approaches look for updates in Jax Air News on specific weeks in which patient wait times will be most impacted.