Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa, has received a grant to acquire and implement the NarcBox System, a comprehensive narcotic security and tracking solution aimed at preventing opioid theft and misuse within the community.
The initiative was spearheaded by Dieter Friton, Director of Mobile Intensive Care Services at Mary Greeley Medical Center, who highlighted the department's commitment to ensuring the safe handling and accountability of controlled substances. “This technology will allow us to update our medication security, and reduce risk,” Friton said.
Before securing the funding, the department utilized resources from the NarcBox Grant Assistance Program, including Lexipol's GrantFinder.com, grant alerts, and expert consultative services, to identify and pursue available grant opportunities.
NarcBox is a specialized narcotic storage and security solution designed for the EMS and fire service industries. The system integrates secure hardware and cloud-based software to offer features such as PIN, RFID, and biometric access; full inventory and medication waste tracking; temperature monitoring; and shift-change verification. Real-time alerts notify administrators of unauthorized access or policy violations, supporting full DEA compliance. Robust analytics tools also allow agencies to track trends, identify potential misuse, and enhance operational efficiency.
NarcBox provides a range of hardware options to accommodate vehicle, station, and headquarters-based applications. The company is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. More information is available at www.narcbox.com.
The implementation of this system at Mary Greeley Medical Center represents a proactive step toward strengthening medication security protocols in emergency medical services. By adopting advanced tracking and alert capabilities, the center aims to reduce the risk of diversion and ensure that controlled substances are used appropriately, ultimately contributing to patient safety and community health.
