Impact of belt conveyor systems on patient waiting time and productivity in outpatient pharmacy settings: a comparative study

Background The implementation of belt conveyor (BC) systems in outpatient pharmacy departments (OPDs) has been a national policy since 2009, aiming to streamline the dispensing process. However, limited evidence exists on their impact on OPD operations. This study aims to evaluate and compare the waiting time and productivity of OPDs with and without BC systems. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in which 17 facilities with BC systems were compared with 17 facilities without BC systems. As pre-implementation data were unavailable, facilities were matched via propensity score matching (PSM) with a 1:1 matching technique without replacement. Post-matching data were analyzed via an independent t -test for productivity and a Mann-Whitney test for waiting time. A significance level of p < 0.05 was set to ensure reliable results. Results A total of 34 facilities were included in the analysis. For waiting time, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (U = 136.00 OR z = -0.327, p = 0.744). Similarly, productivity was not significantly different between facilities with BC systems (M = 3.60, SD = 1.192) and those without BC systems (M = 3.64, SD = 1.273); t(32)=-0.109, p = 0.914. These findings suggested that the use of the BC system did not significantly ncrease the waiting time or productivity in OPDs. Conclusion The study concluded that the implementation of a BC system alone did not improve productivity or reduce patient waiting time. The study also highlighted the importance of comprehensive planning and consideration of multiple factors when new technologies are introduced into OPD workflows.