Which type of cycle counts should be completed first?

The correct answer is a system-generated count. In pharmacy practice, particularly in inventory management, system-generated counts are prioritized because they are typically based on data analytics and inventory turnover rates. This means that they help to identify discrepancies in stock levels more effectively and are aligned with the pharmacy's operational needs.

System-generated counts often leverage inventory management systems that track real-time data and movements of stock items. Completing these counts first can lead to more efficient management of medications, helping to prevent stockouts, overstocking, and expired products. Furthermore, they can reflect patterns in usage, ensuring that high-traffic items are counted regularly to maintain accuracy and compliance with pharmacy standards.

Following system-generated counts, other types of counts such as location-based, manual, or random counts can be conducted as needed, based on specific situations or identified concerns. However, initiating the counting process with system-generated counts sets a reliable foundation for prioritizing inventory accuracy and compliance with regulations.