A continuous sampling approach to pharmacy operation efficiency study

Alex C. Lin and Samuel H. Huang

International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 2006, vol. 1, issue 1/2, 263-283

Abstract: The service sector now makes up more than 70% of the US economy, yet its productivity growth is anaemic compared to that of manufacturing. This created a sense of urgency for efficiency improvement, especially in pharmacy operations due to a severe shortage of pharmacists. In pharmacy operations, it very difficult to apply the traditional time study approach in measuring efficiency. This paper uses a continuous sampling approach based on video recording technology to comprehensively measure pharmacy operation efficiency. The study was conducted at eight sites of a major community pharmacy. The results were analysed and opportunities for improvement were identified.

Keywords: pharmacy operations; performance efficiency; time study; fixed-interval sampling; continuous sampling; video recording; performance measurement; productivity analysis. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2006
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