title: Scanning for safety: an integrated approach to improved bar-code medication administration.
abstract: This is a review of lessons learned in the postimplementation evaluation of a bar-code medication administration technology implemented at a major tertiary-care hospital in 2001. In 2006, with a bar-code medication administration scan compliance rate of 82%, a near-miss sentinel event prompted review of this technology as part of an institutional recommitment to a "culture of safety." Multifaceted problems with bar-code medication administration created an environment of circumventing safeguards as demonstrated by an increase in manual overrides to ensure timely medication administration. A multiprofessional team composed of nursing, pharmacy, human resources, quality, and technical services formalized. Each step in the bar-code medication administration process was reviewed. Technology, process, and educational solutions were identified and implemented systematically. Overall compliance with bar-code medication administration rose from 82% to 97%, which resulted in a calculated cost avoidance of more than $2.8 million during this time frame of the project.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Administration, Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, 1906 Belleview Avenue, Roanoke, VA 24014, USA. crearly@carilionclinic.org
authors.forename: Cynde
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Early
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Riha
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Karen W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Lowdon
authors.forename: Ellen M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Harvey
mesh_terms: D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D004989:Ethics; D006801:Humans; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control