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Posted on November 6, 2009 by Systemid.com | Posted under Hardware
Importance of Barcodes in Bedside Medication Administration
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Barcodes ensures the ‘Five Rights’ Medication errors can be avoided by using barcode technology in bedside medication. Barcodes ensure the ‘Five Rights’ of the patients i.e. the right patient gets the right medication in the right dose through the right route at the right time. • Right patient Barcode scanning on patient’s wristbands using handheld barcode scanners enables to identify the right patient according to the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) guidelines. The wristbands with barcodes given at the admission point are vital in tracking the right patient throughout the treatment period in the hospital. • Right medication Scanning the barcode label on the medications prescribed to a patient enables accurate treatment. In many cases, the ID of the administering nurse is also scanned to check the nurse’s authority to dispense the medication to the patient. This avoids administering wrong drugs to a patient. • Right dose Confirming the right dose being given to the patients is more complex than ensuring the right medication is administered. The medicine dose administered is prone to change at least in small quantities during the treatment period. Recording data using barcodes can help in maintaining the consistency in the dose administered. This avoids further complications and side effects by reducing overdose medications. • Right method of administration (route) Right method of administration means administering the prescribed drug using the right method such as pills, syrup or intravenous medication. This may also include special instructions such as taking medication along with food or other supplements. Using barcodes will help in reducing the avoidable mistakes that might happen when the information is not properly shared and coordinated. • Right time The schedule of medication and the time interval is vital in medical administration. Especially when there is a situation where a missed or late medication has to follow a revised schedule of medication. In such situations, barcode technology will help to maintain the consistency by having the accurate information. The typical devices used in barcode enabled medical administration are a handheld scanner connected to a wireless mobile computer. These devices automatically communicate with other information systems to record and update transactions. These devices also store medical information as a result, it is possible to more accurately check and confirm that the right medication process is being followed than is possible with a typical medication administration record (MAR). Thus, the barcode technology will enable the Five Rights of the patients in the bedside medication administration and ensure the patients’ health is the highest priority. About The Author: For over 20 years, System ID has provided automation solutions and barcoding equipment to a wide range of large and small companies in virtually every industry sector. System ID offers more than 10,000 brand name products and services such as symbol barcode scanner and handheld barcode scanners. |
Tags: BARCODE PRINTER, BARCODE PRINTERS, BARCODE SCANNER, BARCODE SCANNERS, ZEBRA PRINTER, ZEBRA PRINTERS, HANDHELD BARCODE SCANNER, HANDHELD BARCODE SCANNE
