Deploying Information Technology and Continuous Control Monitoring Systems in Hospitals to Prevent Medication Errors

Abstract

The serious repercussions of healthcare errors on patient safety have led hospitals to deploy information technology and continuous control monitoring systems to prevent them. Hospitals are moving away from traditional paper-based systems and focusing on designing new systems that prevent errors, using information technologies to catalyse the process re-engineering. This paper presents a case study that analyses the effect of computerised physician order entry and automated unit-based medication storage and distribution systems on the drug ordering and delivery process. It is concluded that information technology and continuous control monitoring systems have led to significant process re-engineering in the sequential stages of the drug ordering and delivery system. The new systems have also provided the opportunity to improve information available. This is an exploratory case study and the conclusions drawn from it offer possible routes for future research in this field.

Time trend of injection drug errors before and after implementation of bar-code verification system

“…1). This risk in hospital ward was classified in dispensing errors and similar names, packaging or labeling of drugs cause of it [16]. In addition to verification between bar-coded wristbands and order-printed labels, using bar-codes on drug labels attached by pharmaceutical companies may reduce the drug preparation errors in hospital wards.…”

The effect of pharmacy information management system on safety medication use: A study from private hospitals in İstanbul

“…Physician ordering, transcription, dispensing and administration may originate medication errors steps (17). The highest incidence of error is seen in the medication ordering and administration stages (18).…”

“…In the pharmacist perspective, a PIMS makes the practitioners aware of non-safety medication usage, the prescribed overdose, the potential effect of the prescription of two drugs concurrently (9). The system can improve patient safety by reducing dispensing errors (e.g., incorrect medication, dose, or formulation or expired medication) (16) and inadequate doses, improper medication viewing medication interaction (17) in the hospital.…”

“…In this frame, organisational changes by using the technologies could affect that both the way work is done and how information is obtained and controlled. Therefore, change in work routines could be predicted among health professionals (17).…”

“…Patient safety could improve by using information technology and continuous control monitoring systems regarding re-engineering process in the medication ordering and delivery system (17). Physician ordering, transcription, dispensing and administration may originate medication errors steps (17).…”