As with any decision, timing is critical. Are you ready for CPOE, Bed Side Bar Coding – Is Smart Pump technology critical to patient safety? – our consultants will provide you with real time analysis and road map based on your current financial picture detailing expenditures and anticipated returns for the latest technology available.
Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE)
Computerized physician order entry (CPOE), is a process of electronic entry of medical practitioner instructions for the treatment of patients. CPOE has been identified by the Leapfrog survey of 2006 as a method to decrease delays in order completion, reduce errors related to handwriting or transcription, allow order entry at point-of-care or off-site, provide error-checking for duplicate or incorrect doses or tests, and simplify inventory and posting of charges.
Bedside Bar-Coding (BPOC)
Otherwise known as bar code enabled point of care (BPOC). Utilizes bar code technology to identify the medication and patient at the point of medication administration. BPOC has been identified as one method to reduce the risk of a medication event.
Electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR)
eMAR provides a comprehensive electronic record of medication administration activities, including information about medications previously administered, medications past due, pending medications and medications scheduled for the future.
Technology Assessment (Automated Delivery Systems)
Technology in the hospital is rapidly changing. The use of technology in the management of proper medication distribution is a critical component and must satisfy the requirements of patient safety, efficiency, productivity, and quality. It must be cost effective, and have user and customer acceptance. Technology should be thought of as a tool for improving the medication use process, rather than as a solution to problems in that process. Consideration must be given to how the technology can be adapted to meet the goals and objectives of the users rather than how the users’ systems should be redesigned to fit the technology. It is imperative that today’s drug distribution model be highly efficient, driving productivity enhancements. An organization must be able to assess the safety, patient care, and overall improvement in drug distribution.
Intravenous Medication Delivery and Preparation
Automated compounding technology, which includes intravenous infusion devices (pumps) for the preparation and delivery of intravenous medications, is a closed system that prevents external contamination caused by multiple manipulations. Furthermore, some contemporary technologies employ bar-coding to ensure correct product selection. These machines have the potential to eliminate errors related to product selection, preparation, and labeling. Despite the demonstrated utility of automated compounding technologies, deployment of this technology in hospitals has been limited.
Medication Control in the Operating Suites
Maintaining a successful medication management processes in the Operating Room requires developing interdisciplinary relationships. Managing medication use in the operating room is challenging for any hospital, In addition to the unique issues each facility faces there is the common challenge of ensuring necessary access to medication without sacrificing the control required to ensure regulatory compliance, medication security, and patient safety. The use of technology in the OR supports medication control and access.
All findings and comments are documented. A final written report is presented to the client within 30 days after the on-site assessment. The focus of the report is provide cost effective and efficient solutions that address the use of technology in the medication management process.
