The challenge to pharmacies is taking advantage of these built-in safety features to ensure patient safety and prevent medication errors. Correct use begins with a thorough understanding of each of the software’s available features. Each Abacus release includes release notes that summarize all of the changes made to the application. Often, the changes benefit patients only if the features are turned on. To turn them on, the facility’s administrative user must evaluate the feature, determine if it is appropriate for the facility, make the decisions that will alter the program’s behavior, and then teach end-users how the new features work. If any of these steps are skipped, users may not understand the information displayed within the program.

For example, with the Abacus calcium/phosphate solubility curve reporting process, the software displays a ‘stoplight’ when evaluating the calcium/phosphate solubility point. A green indicator means it is probably safe to proceed; yellow means caution, a pharmacist should review; and red means stop, unsafe to proceed. The Baxa release notes, User Manual and Help files for Abacus v1.4 explain that a blue indicator means that either the administrative user has not set up a curve for the ordered amino acid (the software has nothing to compare the solubility to) or the ordered values for calcium and/or phosphate are so far off the user-entered curve that they cannot be used as a basis to report the information. Therefore, a blue indicator alerts the end-user that Abacus doesn’t have enough information, based on the software settings and the order values, to assist in determining precipitation probability.

These features are useful only if end-users understand their purpose. Additionally, Abacus v1.4 allows the administrative user to define the program behavior when green, yellow, red, or blue indicators display (i.e., the administrative user can require pharmacist review if a blue indicator is displayed). If this function isn’t activated following installation or upgrade of Abacus v1.4, pharmacies and their patients can’t take advantage of its benefits.

Baxa strives to maintain industry-leading software. Our efforts are successful only if end-users fully understand the application and if administrative users enable and take advantage of patient safety features. As always, if you have questions about the Abacus Software, or Baxa automated compounders, contact Baxa Technical Support at 800-678-BAXA (2292).


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