Transcript Bar Code Administration & Patient Safety

Bar Code
Administration
& Patient
Safety
Group 2
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ch?v=S9qBK3Infsw
History of Bar Code
Medication Administration
(BCMA)
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In 1994, inspired by a nurse from Colmeg-Oneil Veterans
Affairs Medical Center (VAMC)
Their system became the model for the BCMA
In 2004, the FDA finalized a rule requiring bar codes on
most human drugs and biologics by mid-2006 (Kaufman,
2008)
Safety Implications
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According to leading nurse managers, bar coding
patient identification bands and medication doses,
facilities can reduce medication errors by 65% to 86%
(Heinen et al, (2003))
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93% - 96% reduction in target dispensing errors (Heinen
et al, (2003))
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86% - 97% reduction in target potential of ADE (adverse
drug errors) (Heinen et al, (2003))
Safety Implications (cont’d)
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In a study from the NEJM, 3,082 ordered
transcriptions were reviewed and 776 errors noted
in medication administration on units not using
barcode
Cost Savings
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According to the US DHHS, preventing adverse
events related to medication errors can yield a
savings of $3.9 billion annually
Benefits
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More accurate medication stocking
Ensures that labeled contents contain appropriate
ingredients
Helps prevents “look alike” “sound alike”
medication substitution errors that are difficult to
visually detect
Overall, ensures that “right” medication is selected
for patients
Refereences
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Ronald Schneider, B.S.Pharm., M.H.A.; Jonathan Bagby, R.N.,
M.B.A., M.S.N.; Russ Carlson, R.N., B.S.N., M.H.A.
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ASHP Statement on Bar-Code Verification During Inventory,
Preparation, and Dispensing of Medications. American Journal
of Health-System Pharmacy [serial online]. March
2011;68(5):442-445. Available from: Health Source:
Nursing/Academic Edition, Ipswich, MA. Accessed March 22,
2011.
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Heinen, M. G., Coyle, G. A., & Hamilton, A. V. (2003). Barcoding
makes its mark on daily practice. Nursing Management, 34(10),
18-20. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
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