title: Evaluation of the use of bar-code medication administration in nursing practice using an evidence-based checklist.
abstract: The goal of this project was to determine whether the use of bar-code medication administration complied with current evidence as to how it should be used. Using an evidence-based checklist, we performed a gap analysis on bar-code medication administration (BCMA) in an acute care setting. Compliance with current evidence was identified through observation and unstructured nurse interviews. Based on findings from the initial gap analysis, quality improvement initiatives were implemented followed by a reassessment to identify possible improvement of the identified gaps. Initially, there was 72% compliance with current evidence-based practices using BCMA. After implementation of initial quality improvement initiatives targeting 3 of 9 areas with deficits in compliance, compliance was found to be 81%. The evidence-based checklist was helpful in identifying gaps in current performance and opportunities for improvement with BCMA.
authors.affiliation: Author Affiliations: Vice President and Regional Chief Nursing Informatics Officer (Drs Harrington and Hardison), Catholic Health Initiatives, Englewood, Colorado; Pharmacy Director (Dr Clyne), Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center, Lincoln, Nebraska; and Vice President of Patient Care and System Chief Nurse Executive (Dr Fuchs), Duke University Health System, and Associate Professor (Dr Johnson), School of Nursing and Community and Family Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Harrington
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Clyne
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.forename: Van
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hardison
authors.forename: Constance
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D008510:Medication Systems, Hospital; D009736:Nursing Process; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic