Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
06:59
A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
Published on: November 9, 2016
Study of nurse workarounds in a hospital using bar code medication administration system
Laurie L Rack1, Linda A Dudjak, Gail A Wolf
1Presbyterian Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. rackll@upmc.edu
Journal of Nursing Care Quality
|December 29, 2011
Summary
Registered nurses frequently bypass bar code medication administration technology, leading to potential patient safety risks. Understanding these workarounds is crucial for improving technology implementation and minimizing errors in healthcare settings.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare technology
- Nursing informatics
- Patient safety
Background:
- Bar code medication administration (BCMA) technology is widely implemented to enhance patient safety.
- Workarounds, deviations from intended technology use, can compromise the effectiveness of BCMA systems.
- Understanding the reasons behind nurse workarounds is essential for optimizing BCMA implementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the frequency and causes of registered nurse workarounds with bar code medication administration technology.
- To identify factors contributing to deviations from standard BCMA protocols.
- To provide insights for improving BCMA implementation strategies.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative data collection through nurse focus groups.
- Quantitative data collection via a survey administered to registered nurses.
- Analysis of workaround frequency and contributing factors.
Main Results:
- Over half of surveyed nurses reported not scanning patient identifiers or medications during their last shift.
- Identified workarounds indicate frequent deviations from intended BCMA system use.
- Focus groups revealed various reasons contributing to these workarounds.
Conclusions:
- Registered nurse workarounds are prevalent in BCMA use within academic medical centers.
- Addressing the root causes of workarounds is critical for effective BCMA implementation.
- Findings offer practical considerations for healthcare organizations to minimize workarounds and enhance patient safety.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Nursing Clinical Information System
Nursing Clinical Information System (NCIS)
A Nursing Clinical Information System (NCIS) is a specialized type of healthcare information system tailored to meet the unique needs of nursing practice. It incorporates the principles of nursing informatics to streamline information management and improve the quality of care delivery.
Critical attributes of NCIS include:
A Nursing Clinical Information System (NCIS) is a specialized type of healthcare information system tailored to meet the unique needs of nursing practice. It incorporates the principles of nursing informatics to streamline information management and improve the quality of care delivery.
Critical attributes of NCIS include:
01:18Guidelines and Strategies for Safe Computer Charting
The guidelines and strategies provided by the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) offer essential principles for ensuring safe and secure computer charting systems in healthcare settings. Let's break down each recommendation:
Maintain Confidentiality and Security:
Maintain Confidentiality and Security:
01:14SBAR II: Application of SBAR
SBAR is an effective communication tool used by healthcare professionals to communicate patient information accurately. SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. For a better understanding, an example is given below.
SBAR Report from a Nurse to a Health Care Provider
S: "Hello, Dr. Smith. This is Jane, RN, from the Med Surg unit. I am calling to tell you about Ms. White in Room 210, who is experiencing increased pain and redness at her incision site. Her recent...
SBAR Report from a Nurse to a Health Care Provider
S: "Hello, Dr. Smith. This is Jane, RN, from the Med Surg unit. I am calling to tell you about Ms. White in Room 210, who is experiencing increased pain and redness at her incision site. Her recent...
01:15Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model
The case management model is a multidisciplinary approach that involves healthcare professionals from diverse disciplines, such as physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, and pharmacists, working collaboratively to address the various needs of patients. Each healthcare professional brings unique expertise and perspectives, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the patient's condition and tailoring treatment plans accordingly.
For example, a patient with a chronic illness...
For example, a patient with a chronic illness...
01:29SBAR I: Understanding the Concept
Effective communication among healthcare professionals during hand-off reporting is essential to delivering safe and continuous patient care. Common professional interactions include reports to healthcare team members, hand-off, and transfer reports. Nurses routinely report information to other healthcare team members and also urgently contact healthcare providers to report changes in patient status.
Standardized methods of communication have been developed to ensure that information is...
Standardized methods of communication have been developed to ensure that information is...
01:15Nursing Implementation
Implementation is the execution of the nursing care plan developed during the planning phase.
The five steps to implementing effective nursing care include reassessing the patient, reviewing and revising the existing nursing care plan, organizing the resources and care delivery, anticipating and preventing complications, and implementing nursing interventions.
The five steps to implementing effective nursing care include reassessing the patient, reviewing and revising the existing nursing care plan, organizing the resources and care delivery, anticipating and preventing complications, and implementing nursing interventions.