The Robotic IV Automation (RIVA) system manufactured by Intelligent Hospital Systems has safely and accurately prepared more than 1 million medication doses globally since its introduction in 2008. RIVA is a robotic device that automatically prepares medications for syringes and IV bags in a sterile environment. The milestone is especially notable in light of the recent outbreak of meningitis linked to contaminated pharmacy products.
“RIVA sets a new standard in pharmacy safety that helps reduce the exposure of hospitals and compounding pharmacies to medication errors and contamination,” said Dr. Niels Erik Hansen, president and CEO of Intelligent Hospital Systems in Winnipeg, Manitoba. “The outbreak that is occurring is tragic, particularly because technology exists that can prevent human error, which is the most common source of medication contamination.”
RIVA eliminates cross-contamination and errors in delicate medication preparations. The exacting robotic system not only automates crucial compounding processes that are vulnerable to human error, but uses UV pulse disinfection for medication bags and vials to eliminate bacterial and fungal contamination. The device’s advanced technology also provides clean air flow that is critical to ensuring a sterile environment for compounding. RIVA’s safety record has been demonstrated by more than 50,000 routine quality control checks at 27 RIVA sites that have found no contamination in compounds produced by the machines.
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