Patient Safety Is First At Redmond With eMAR

"One of the most dangerous situations any patient can face in a hospital comes from the complications that can result from the improper administration of medicine," said Brenda Waltz, Redmond chief executive officer. "Patient safety is our number one priority, and eMAR reflects that commitment."

Errors in the administration of drugs, from incorrect dosages to the wrong medicines altogether, can lead to patient problems that range from mild to severe. In fact, recent studies show that as many as 98,000 deaths result from preventable medical mistakes annually. Many of those mistakes involve improper medication.

"The eMAR system is an invaluable tool that helps hospital personnel bring medication administration errors as close as possible to zero," said Brad Treglown, director of information services.

With the eMAR system, when a doctor orders a medication, the order is sent to the pharmacy and entered into a computer system. The pharmacy fills the prescription and shrink-wraps each dose of the medication. The dose is labeled with a bar code like the ones used in grocery stores for product scanning. The bar code on the medicine connects to a bar code the patient wears on a wristband.

When it is time for the nurse to administer the medication, the nurse scans both the medication and the patient’s wristband bar codes using a wireless computer and scanner. Then eMAR confirms that it is the right patient, right drug, right dose, right route of administration and right time. It also checks for allergies and drug interations.

Doctors also use eMAR when they consider changing a patient’s prescription. With the simple push of a button on a computer, the doctor can quickly see a patient’s record of medication. The eMAR system documents every drug taken as well as the dosage and time received.

"This is a tremendous advantage," Treglown said. " Having all of the information at your fingertips on one screen is so much more effective than flipping through a chart filled with papers and handwritten notes."

Nurses are also alerted by eMAR when a patient’s medications are due ensuring patients receive medications on schedule. The bar coding technology also allows for the automatic updating of patient information every time the patient’s records are accessed.

"This technology greatly increases the accuracy and efficiency of the overall care of patients as well as the administrative process," said Tracy Rainwater, clinical systems coordinator. "It provides everyone with great peace of mind."

Check out the Major benefits of eMAR!.