Medication Errors Pre and Post Implementation of an Admin-Rx Barcode Enabled Medication Administration System

Abstract

Medication errors have been extensively explored in the literature but the impact of information technologies (IT) on these errors has not. This study evaluated the impact of the implementation of a barcode enabled medication administration system on medication errors in an acute care hospital. Medication errors were measured for a four month period pre and post implementation of the Admin-Rx system using web-based event reports filed by hospital staff. Medication errors were analyzed per 1000 patient days by total event reports filed, number of actual errors made, and category of error by stage in the medication process where the error occurred (ordering, transcribing, dispensing, and administration). There were no significant differences detected from pre implementation to post implementation, though some trends were noted. The actual number of medication errors was higher post implementation while the number of medication error event reports was higher pre implementation. The number of errors in the administration stage was lower post implementation. The implementation of barcoding at the bedside would be expected to impact errors at this stage of the medication process. Transcription errors accounted for a greater percentage of the errors post implementation than pre implementation. These findings suggest the impact of barcode technology on the entire medication administration process warrants further research and focus.