Journal article
Fifteen best practice recommendations for bar-code medication administration in the Veterans Health Administration
Joint Commission journal on quality and safety, v 30(7), pp 355-365
Jul 2004
PMID: 15279500
Abstract
Since 2000, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has pioneered the development and deployment of a bar-code medication administration (BCMA) system. Based on VHA experience, 15 "best practices" for BCMA implementation, integration, and maintenance are recommended.
Data were collected on potential barriers to the effectiveness of BCMA to improve patient safety by direct observation of medication administration, simulated BCMA use in a laboratory setting, a survey of nursing informatics specialists regarding policies and procedures, and 30 unstructured interviews with diverse stakeholders.
Fifteen practices were proposed, categorized by implementation and continuous improvement, training, troubleshooting, contingency planning, equipment maintenance, medication administration, and maintenance of paper patient wristbands. For example, Recommendation 15 ("Periodic replacement of wristbands") advises weekly bar-coded wristband replacement in long term care settings to improve the scanning reliability.
Lessons learned about best practices to address challenges may offer insight to others considering implementation of bar-code technology.
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58 citations in Scopus
Details
- Title
- Fifteen best practice recommendations for bar-code medication administration in the Veterans Health Administration
- Creators
- Emily S Patterson - Getting at Patient Safety Center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, USA. patterson.150@osu.eduMichelle L RogersMarta L Render
- Publication Details
- Joint Commission journal on quality and safety, v 30(7), pp 355-365
- Publisher
- Elsevier; United States
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Information Science
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-4644290991
- Other Identifier
- 991014877710404721