Implementing technology to improve medication safety in healthcare facilities: a literature review.
Medication errors remain one of the most common causes of patient injuries in the United States, with detrimental outcomes including adverse reactions and even death. By developing a better understanding of why and how medication errors occur, preventative measures may be implemented including technological advances. In this literature review, potential methods of reducing medication errors were explored. Furthermore, technology tools available for medication orders and administration are described, including advantages and disadvantages of each system. It was found that technology can be an excellent aid in improving safety of medication administration. However, computer technology cannot replace human intellect and intuition. Nurses should be involved when implementing any new computerized system in order to obtain the most appropriate and user-friendly structure.
Hidle
Unn
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Laguardia Community College in Long Island City, NY, USA.
D015984:Causality; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical / Q000458:organization & administration; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D006801:Humans; D050316:Medical Order Entry Systems / Q000458:organization & administration; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000458:organization & administration; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000379:methods / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008510:Medication Systems, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D009737:Nursing Records; D028701:Patient Rights; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013597:Systems Analysis; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology