|
|
|
|
|
Columbus Regional Introduces Bedside Medication Verification to its Patients
Effective March 1, 2006, Columbus Regional Healthcare System implemented a new process which will ensure patient safety during medication administration. This new process, Bedside Medication Verification (BMV), enhances safe medication administration through the “Five Rights” of medication management: Right Patient, Right Medication, Right Dosage, Right Route, and Right Time. To provide positive patient identification, wristbands now include a barcode. Caregivers will scan the barcode on the medication to be administered and then scan the barcode on the patient’s wristband to correctly identify that the Right Medication and Dosage is being given to the Right Patient at the Right Time, by the Right Route.
In order for Columbus Regional to bring this advanced safety feature to its patients, many changes at the Hospital had to occur. This new process involves many departments, including pharmacy, nursing, cardiopulmonary, and information systems. The hospital purchased medication packaging equipment. The pharmacy currently receives some medications in bulk. Once received, they are re-packaged with barcoded labels. Nursing and cardiopulmonary staff have been provided many hours of training for this new process.
The Hospital’s Medication Usage Team has been evaluating this process for quite some time. Nicole Hopkins, BSW, assisted the group by completing a grant application through the Kate B. Reynolds organization. Due in part to the combined efforts of Nicole and the Medication Usage Team, Columbus Regional received the grant to assist with the cost to implement this program.
|
|