Evaluation of nurse interaction with bar code medication administration technology in the work environment
Journal
Journal of Patient Safety
Publication Date
March 2007
Volume
3
Issue
1
Pages
34-42
Summary:
- HIT Description: Barcoding More info...
- Purpose of Study: To assess nurses' use of bar code medication administration (BCMA) from a human factors viewpoint
- Years of study: Not Available
- Study Design: Quantitative
- Outcomes: Other
- Settings: A variety of critical care and medical / surgical units in a 472-bed Midwestern academic hospital
- Intervention: Structured observation of the medication administration process was performed to evaluate the use of BCMA by nurses. Observations were conducted during medication pass at 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.
- Evaluation Method: Direct observation
- Description: A medication network server was linked wirelessly to handheld devices. The devices allow documentation of medication administration. No specific hardware or software was mentioned.
- Interoperability: Devices linked with server hard drive electronically.
- Strategy: Point of care BCMA technology was introduced unit by unit for a 3-year period. Implementation was carefully planned through a pilot study in one unit. Pharmacy and nursing staff were specifically dedicated to the implementation.
- Barriers: During 5 of the 59 observations, the handheld device either froze or would not link to the wireless network. In 2 observations, it timed out before the task was complete. Sometimes there were only 2 working devices for 4 nurses
- Quality of Care and Patient Safety Outcome: 10 of the 59 observations had 7 distinct actions that could be considered potentially unsafe, i.e. administering medication without scanning the patient ID band first
- Changes in efficiency and productivity: 18 different sequences for medication administration were recorded for 59 observations. Interruptions, such as patient and family questions, MD questions, or equipment and technology problems / alarms were recorded in 20 of the observations.