The approximate costs associated with bar-coded system in health care

The purpose of this paper is to be able to calculate the costs associated with implementing and operating an inpatient bar-code medication administration (BCMA) system in a hospital or medical setting. Bar code assisted medication administration reduces medication errors, improves patient safety, the accuracy of medication administration and documentation. In a bar-coded system, all medications are electronically verified before being administered to patients. In addition, the dose of medication is double checked and against the patient’s medication record, that is on file. Afterwards, the route of the medication is automatically entered and verified during this process. In a properly implemented bar-coded medical facility, the scan of the medication brings up the correct medication on the patient’s medication record, therefore less subject to human error. Secondly, costs included direct expenditures on capital, infrastructure, additional personnel, and the opportunity costs of time for existing personnel working on the project. The number of adverse drug events prevented using BCMA was estimated by multiplying the number of doses administered using BCMA by the rate of harmful errors prevented by interventions in response to system warnings. BCMA identified and intercepted medication errors in 1.1% of doses administered, 9% of which potentially could have resulted in lasting harm. Implementation costs include: System design and planning IT infrastructure Interfaces with other information technology systems Training BCMA system Routine maintenance and operating expenses System quality control and refinement User support Project Bar-Code Scanning System design and planning $300,000.00 IT infrastructure $275,000.00 Interfaces with other information technology systems $75,000.00 Training $100,000.00 BCMA system $100,000.00 Routine maintenance and operating expenses $80,000.00 System quality control and refinement $120,000.00 User support $120,000.00 $1,170,000.00 Thirdly, Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA), related costs were divided into direct capital costs and personnel costs for time spent during planning, staffing, training, and monitoring. Capital purchases consisted of the BCMA hardware, such as computers, servers, carts to move the computers from room to room, handheld bar-code scanners, and auxiliary computer batteries to ensure a consistent power supply. Also included were the software licenses, interfaces with other computer applications, ongoing maintenance/service support contracts for BCMA, and other systems and supplies necessary to make BCMA operational. Infrastructure capital investments such as building wireless capacity, drug repackaging equipment needed to support bar codes and construction (eg, to accommodate new repackaging equipment), were also included if these infrastructure improvements were incurred as part of the BCMA project. KN Recommendations: Barcode-Assisted Medication Administration Implement barcode-assisted medication administration in all healthcare facilities Scan patient’s wristband and medication prior to administration Rights: Patient, Drug, Dose, Time, Route, Reason proposed solution to the problem. In conclusion, medication errors are a significant source of avoidable healthcare costs and patient harm. BCMA implementation in the medical-surgical units, improved adherence to patient identification but more distractions of the nursing staff occurred and the medications administered were less frequently explained to the patient , according to Helmons, Wargel & Daniels. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) estimates that 400,000 preventable drug-related injuries, or adverse drug events (ADEs), occur in hospitals each year. Many small businesses have the impression that barcode systems are expensive and they simply can’t afford to implement one. When considering barcode systems, you need to also evaluate the long-term benefits for your business. One of the greatest assets of bar-coding is the added efficiency that it provides your business. There is less risk of human error when you’re not inputting prices at checkout; in fact, the whole process gets accelerated with the use of barcodes. Customer waiting time is shortened which will certainly make them happier. References Bonkowski, J., Carnes, C., Melucci, J., Mirtallo, J., Prier, B., Reichert, E., & ... Weber, R. (2013). Effect of barcode-assisted medication administration on emergency department medication errors. Academic Emergency Medicine: Official Journal Of The Society For Academic Emergency Medicine, 20(8), 801-806. doi:10.1111/acem.12189 Helmons, P. J., Wargel, L. N., & Daniels, C. E. (2009). Effect of bar-code-assisted medication administration on medication administration errors and accuracy in multiple patient care areas. American Journal Of Health-System Pharmacy: AJHP: Official Journal Of The American Society Of Health-System Pharmacists, 66(13), 1202-1210. doi:10.2146/ajhp080357 Raman, K., Heelon, M., Kerr, G., & Higgins, T. L. (2011). Addressing challenges in bar-code scanning of large-volume infusion bags. American Journal Of Health-System Pharmacy: AJHP: Official Journal Of The American Society Of Health-System Pharmacists, 68(15), 1450-1453. doi:10.2146/ajhp100655