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Medication supply carts designed for direct medication dispensing from the clinical pharmacy in single-patient doses. Typically the pharmacist dispenses the proper medication for a day (or a longer period of time) into separate locked drawers marked with each patient\'s name and/or room number, using information taken from the patient\'s card. These carts typically include a removable section of drawers (known as cassettes) that may be intended either one for each patient or subdivided in compartments to hold individual dosages. Other carts include punch cards that hold doses for longer periods (e.g., a week, a month). Some carts include a flat storage area for cups and bottles containing pills or liquids in individual doses and a working area for preparing oral medicines and/or syringes. Unit-dose medication carts reduce waste of drugs and pharmacist time; they also provide better tracking and security for distribution of controlled substances. They are appropriate for daily distribution of medicines in hospitals, and/or for long term distribution of medicines in extended care facilities.
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