I've come across two great articles that explain the use of the bar code system in combination with electronic health records. One article gives the general information of the bar code system and the other article does identify the flaws that these systems do not pick up. The "flaws" that the system doesn't pick are patient allergies & drug interactions. Hopefully with time these "flaws" can be corrected thus reducing even more medication errors.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/feb/01/hospitals-clinics-hustle-launch-electronic-health-/
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2011/02/08/1762569/bar-code-system-tracks-hospitals.html
Medication errors have led to several adverse effects which sometimes lead to death. The use of bar code technology helps in the prevention of these errors and therefore prevent the adverse effects that can or do occur as a result of medication errors. As always, computer is a tool of nursing informatics, so also is the bar code technology a tool in preventing medication errors. Critical thinking must NEVER be left to the computer or the bar code technology.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links.
ReplyDeleteOne of the other flaws is the "work-arounds" that nurses sometimes resort to.
I think that barcoding definately does lead to a decrease in medication administration errors. At my hospitals one of the issues I have with barcoding and medication administration is havingt o push those computers around all day. To me sometimes it can be very tiresome and time consuming. I like the idea of having a hand held machine..... I am going to suggest it at your next unit meeting.
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