Strategies to Promote a Culture of Excellence in the Workplace
From: J.K.
To: The Nursing Staff
Cc: The Administration
Subject: FAQs on Bedside Bar Code Medication Retrieval System
Hello team,
I hope this email finds you well.
As you know, the administration has proposed a new barcode system for nurses at the bedside to retrieve medication. This bedside barcode medication retrieval system aims to decrease medication errors. I understand many of us have a number of questions related to this new system.
Find attached below a comprehensive Facts and Questions (FAQ) document to answer key questions regarding the new system.
Also, since that last meeting was interrupted and some of the nurses left before the implementation plan was discussed, a new meeting will be scheduled on 24th March 2023 at the main boardroom.
Sincerely,
J.K.
Practice Excellence Committee Member
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Attached FAQs Document
Bedside Barcode Medication Retrieval System FAQs
Why do we need this change?
Implementing the Bedside Barcode Medication Retrieval System aligns with our organization’s commitment to continuously improve patient safety. Our Barcode Medication Retrieval system is like the Barcode Medication Administration (BCMA) automated system, which simply uses barcode scanning during medication administration (Zheng et al., 2021). The new Barcode Medication Retrieval system is a part of the organization’s efforts to digitize all its patient care processes. The new medication retrieval system aims to reduce medication errors which have been an issue reported by our nurses. This change means that nurses will only process and dispense medications when at the intended patient’s bed, reducing confusion over patients and medication. Besides, BCMA implementation in controlled medication administration significantly reduces medication errors, hence improving patient safety (Zheng et al., 2021). To show why the change is needed and the importance of the Bedside Barcode Medication Retrieval System, consider a scenario where two patients with similar names are admitted to the same hospital wing taking the same or related medication for almost related conditions. These cases would easily confuse the nurse, and they end up administering the wrong medication or even the right medication to the wrong patient. In this regard, the new system will only allow the medications to be dispensed if the patient’s barcode is attached to the patient and their bed is scanned. BCMA scanning at the bedside also reduces adverse drug events by up to 95 percent and supports continuous patient assessments (Ho & Burger, 2020). Implementing these new medication administration changes shows how we prioritize patient safety and the delivery of quality, safe, and affordable care that meets the needs of the patient and their family.
What we currently use works well; why change now?
The current medication retrieval system works well. However, as an organization focused on efficiency, patient safety, and ensuring our clients have the best care experiences, we continuously upgrade the systems that help us achieve these care goals. This means continuously updating our systems to the current technologies. The Bedside Barcode Medication Retrieval System is more advanced than the current system. The shift from previous medication retrieval to the bedside barcode-aided medication retrieval system eliminates the need for nurses to travel back and forth from a central dispensing area and makes it easy to dispense medications only at the point of care. For example, these movements may cause distractions and can result in nurses confusing patients and medications. Such distractions lead to errors during medication administration (Manias et al., 2021). The systems will have unique barcodes for each patient, bed number, and information on the medications, including medication name, type, dose, dosage time, and reasons for prescription, thereby reducing the risk of interruptions and distractions. Additionally, upgrading our medication systems will improve our operational efficiency and safety regarding medication processes and shield the patient and the organization from costs and suffering related to medication errors. Notably, bedside BCMA technologies can reduce medication errors by 74 percent, with a significant impact on costs of care and related liability costs (Larson, 2018). Major savings from avoided ADEs are estimated to be over USD 239,7