Reducing Medication Errors Potential Benefits of Bolus Thrombolytic Agents

This case, in many ways, represents the ideal: a timely and effective administration of thrombolytic agents. The rarity of this situation reinforces the need for earlier recognition and treatment of infarction. In an analysis of time delays in thrombolytic therapy, 38% were attributed to in-hospital issues, 22% to patients' delays, 21% to problems with transportation, and 19% to reperfusion time. The National Heart Attack Alert Program calls for treatment within 1 hour of the development of signs and symptoms, including administration of thrombolytic agents within 30 minutes of the patient's arrival in the emergency department. That program seeks heightened awareness among hospital and prehospital providers and public education about seeking immediate treatment for chest pain. The prompt acquisition of additional ECGs and the subsequent rapid administration of a thrombolytic agent were the clinical essentials. This fact suggests the need to look for measures of quality other than simple "door to drug" times. "Data to drug" times may be another indicator of quality to address cases in which the initial ECG findings are not diagnostic. Furthermore, emergency departments may see more patients with impending infarction if public education campaigns are successful. This case emphasizes the need to obtain follow-up ECGs in light of the potential benefits from thrombolysis.

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An Evaluation of the Impact of Barcode Patient and Medication Scanning on Nursing Workflow at a UK Teaching Hospital

Pharmacy ◽

10.3390/pharmacy8030148 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 148

Author(s):

Sara Barakat ◽

Bryony Dean Franklin

Keyword(s):

Patient Safety ◽

Medication Errors ◽

Medication Administration ◽

Patient Identification ◽

Identification Rate ◽

Scan Rate ◽

Nursing Activity ◽

Administration Time ◽

Potential Benefits ◽

The Impact

Barcode medication administration (BCMA) is advocated as a technology that reduces medication errors relating to incorrect patient identity, drug or dose. Little is known, however, about the impact it has on nursing workflow. Our aim was to investigate the impact of BCMA on nursing activity and workflow. A comparative study was conducted on two similar surgical wards within an acute UK hospital. We observed nurses during drug rounds on a non-BCMA ward and a BCMA ward. Data were collected on drug round duration, timeliness of medication administration, patient identification, medication verification and general workflow patterns. BCMA appears not to alter drug round duration, although it may reduce the administration time per dose. Workflow was more streamlined, with less use of the medicines room. The rate of patient identification increased from 74% (of 47) patients to 100% (of 43), with 95% of 255 scannable medication doses verified using the system. This study suggests that BCMA does not affect drug round duration; further research is required to determine the impact it has on timeliness of medication administration. There was reduced variability in the medication administration workflow of nurses, along with an increased patient identification rate and high medication scan rate, representing potential benefits to patient safety.

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Teletinnitus Program at the VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System

Perspectives on Telepractice ◽

10.1044/teles4.1.23 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 23-29

Author(s):

Constance Hilory Tomberlin

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Patient Satisfaction ◽

Patient Care ◽

Health Care System ◽

Gulf Coast ◽

New Technology ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Veterans Health ◽

Potential Benefits ◽

Care System

There are a multitude of reasons that a teletinnitus program can be beneficial, not only to the patients, but also within the hospital and audiology department. The ability to use technology for the purpose of tinnitus management allows for improved appointment access for all patients, especially those who live at a distance, has been shown to be more cost effective when the patients travel is otherwise monetarily compensated, and allows for multiple patient's to be seen in the same time slots, allowing for greater access to the clinic for the patients wishing to be seen in-house. There is also the patient's excitement in being part of a new technology-based program. The Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System (GCVHCS) saw the potential benefits of incorporating a teletinnitus program and began implementation in 2013. There were a few hurdles to work through during the beginning organizational process and the initial execution of the program. Since the establishment of the Teletinnitus program, the GCVHCS has seen an enhancement in patient care, reduction in travel compensation, improvement in clinic utilization, clinic availability, the genuine excitement of the use of a new healthcare media amongst staff and patients, and overall patient satisfaction.

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