How will the new medication verification system work?
SCHIPPER: The patient ID band is [already] printed with a bar code that properly identifies each patient. The important change is that the medication will have a bar code on it when it’s dispensed by the pharmacy. The nurse retrieves it from the Pyxis machine as she does now. The added safeguard is that a computer is brought into the patient room, and the nurse scans the bracelet … [and] brings up the patient’s chart up on the computer screen. The nurse scans the medication, and it highlights the medication on the screen … and confirms that the correct patient is getting the correct drug, at the correct dose, at the correct time, via the correct route. If [anything] is incorrect, a red warning box flashes across the screen. PBN: What are some of the expected benefits from this change? SCHIPPER: Our current method is still subject to human error. For instance, if the nurse retrieves the correct dose for Mrs. Smith in Room 4123 and walks to her room to administer it to her, she could be
