ValleyWestCommunityHospital is now using a new system for improving patient safety during administration of medication to patients. The system, Bedside Medication Verification, (BMV), utilizes bar codes on patient ID bands and on medications. It provides a system of double checks that alert caregivers to things such as high risk medications or potential administration errors.
The information obtained during the use of the scanner is stored in a computerized Medication Administration Record, which becomes part of a patient’s medical record. This allows physicians to view every dosage a patient has received electronically, from their office, home or even their laptop computer in the car.
In hospitals throughout the nation, the BMV system has been shown to reduce medication administration errors by up to 50 percent, greatly increasing patient safety. BMV automatically alerts healthcare professionals of allergies or drug interactions prior to medication administration. ValleyWestCommunityHospital is a leader in this innovative technology, with only thirty-three percent of hospitals nationwide, and only twenty percent of hospitals with less than 100 beds utilizing the system.
The system is currently being used on all inpatient units, including obstetrics and special care units. BMV is not only a huge advancement in patient medication safety, it eliminates several paper and cross-checking steps, giving nurses more time for bedside care. Patients also benefit because the system allows doctors to be better informed.
Bedside Medication Verification