http://www.rdmag.com/images/0505/rd55emt.jpgSafe IV administration
The IV Safety System, which was developed by McKesson Automation Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa., and ALARIS Medical Systems, San Diego, Calif., replaces traditional paper records. Using a handheld (HH) device with a built-in scanner, a caregiver scans the barcode of his or her identification badge, the patient’s wristband, and the IV bag. This confirms that an authorized caregiver is trying to administer the right medication and dosage to the right patient. Next, the HH device is used by the caregiver to scan barcodes on the IV infusion pump.

All this information is then transmitted through wireless radio frequency technology from the HH device to a mainframe computer in the hospital pharmacy. The information is instantly compared with the physician’s orders. Once the computer confirms that the transmitted barcode data match the physician’s orders, the IV pump is activated. Finally, the caregiver presses the appropriate buttons on the pump to start the IV medication.

The deployment of the IV Safety System at Ohio Valley was accompanied by a few challenges. This included the installation of the system, ensuring that the IT infrastructure is capable of accommodating the system, as well as providing the necessary education and support for end users. “The toughest hurdle to overcome is the culture change that occurs for clinicians,” says Spisak. “Even with the problems of the old system, there is a comfort in working with the ‘familiar.’ The challenge then becomes supporting the end users until they trust the new technology.”