Milestone especially notable in light of recent meningitis outbreak linked to contaminated medications

WINNIPEG, Manitoba--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.

RIVA systems have been installed in hospital pharmacies and compounding pharmacies, both of which need to produce high volumes of made-to-order medications safely and accurately. RIVA allows pharmacies to prepare compounded medications in compliance with the most stringent pharmacy regulations, with the added benefits of significantly reducing the cost-per-dose and reducing vulnerability to medication shortages. The system provides a complete electronic audit trail that identifies every product being used, weighs the medications pre- and post-mixture and labels every dispensed product.

"For decades, pharmacies have worked to develop techniques to reduce the risk of human errors and contamination, but this outbreak shows there are limitations. Fortunately, today technology exists that can do both much more effectively," Dr. Hansen said. "By using state-of-the-art robotics, advanced safety features and detailed electronic auditing, RIVA ensures that medication preparations are accurate, sterile and, most important, safe for patients."

About Intelligent Hospital Systems

Founded in 2006, Intelligent Hospital Systems (IH Systems) is a medical device company focused on the design and development of automated solutions for the hospital environment. Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, IH Systems manufactures the Robotic IV Automation (RIVA), an advanced-technology robotic system that prepares IV syringes and bags safely and accurately in pharmacies. Using RIVA, hospitals reduce their vulnerability to medication shortages, lower cost-per-dose of medications, reduce waste and enhance patient safety. For more information, visit http://www.intelligenthospitals.com/.