Barcode medication administration in the emergency department to mitigate medication errors

Abstract

<p>Electronic health record systems (EHRs) have been adopted in healthcare facilities to unify the workflow process of healthcare professionals. Studies have demonstrated the addition of barcode medication administration (BCMA) software technology within the EHR has decreased medication errors within hospitals and long-term care facilities. However, limited research has been conducted to establish whether using BCMA in outpatient areas has had an influence on medication error rates. Literature reveals that many facilities have not adopted BCMA in outpatient areas. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether medication errors were mitigated after BCMA was implemented in the emergency department (ED). Transitional Care approach was used to analyze patients who were seen in the ED, ordered to receive medication in the ED, then transferred to an inpatient area within the same facility. Using quantitative nonexperimental method, retrospective data were collected from the organization&rsquo;s corporate data warehouse. The results of these analyses indicated a reduction in medication administration errors for the studied population after the facility implemented BCMA in the ED. Additional findings include medication documented as given without the presence of a written medication order and the absence of standardized medication administration documentation practices after the implementation of BCMA in the ED. Facilities may benefit from the results of this study by exploring reasons nursing staff choose not to use BCMA correctly which may increase quality outcomes.</p>