Warren pharmacy has solution to lower patient wait time for prescriptions Published March 7, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Daryl Knee 90th Space Wing Public Affairs F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- An Air Force Space Command paid for the installation of a $150,000 machine at the clinic here Feb. 15 that shortens the time to fill a prescription. The Robotic Counting and Dispensing System sorts, counts and labels prescription medicine while the pharmacy staff works other tasks. "It makes it simpler, it makes it safer, and it cuts down our work load," said Tech. Sgt. Ernest Martinez, 90th Medical Support Squadron. "We're constantly making improvements to try to make life easier." The pharmacy staff has averaged a 12-minute wait time to fill prescriptions. With the new counting system, patients can look forward to an eight-minute wait. The machine is 100 percent correct every time, Sergeant Martinez said. It's the best thing at the pharmacy. "It's like having another worker," Sergeant Martinez said. "It has the capability of counting 140 separate medications, and it can keep filling different medications while we're replenishing and adding back to stock medications that were canceled." The machine's efficiency means less stress for the patient as well. "By the time a patient gets to waiting for us, they've already waited for the doctor, they've already waited to be checked in -- so we want to cut down on their waiting time for us," Sergeant Martinez said.