Beginning to Bedside Solutions
Across the care continuum, barcode technology is one of the most effective ways to safely track medications and verify a patient’s five rights before administration: right patient, right drug, right dose, right route and right time.
1. Comply with future FDA barcoding mandates
In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated that hospitals use barcode technologies for use with human drug products and biologic products. Barcode systems identify the national drug code (NDC) for specific manufactured products and facilitate identification of the right patient, the right drug and the right dosage. Radiopharmaceuticals are exempt from this mandate because they lack an NDC number, creating a gap for hospitals that wish to scan all medications at the point of care. Though radiopharmaceuticals are exempt today, barcoding radiopharmaceuticals could become a mandate in the future.
In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated that hospitals use barcode technologies for use with human drug products and biologic products. Barcode systems identify the national drug code (NDC) for specific manufactured products and facilitate identification of the right patient, the right drug and the right dosage. Radiopharmaceuticals are exempt from this mandate because they lack an NDC number, creating a gap for hospitals that wish to scan all medications at the point of care. Though radiopharmaceuticals are exempt today, barcoding radiopharmaceuticals could become a mandate in the future.
2. Reduce patient dosing errors
Rates of patient dosing errors vary based on method, but one thing is clear: errors in patient dosing happen more frequently without safeguards, and the potentially devastating effects may be reduced with the use of barcoding systems.
Rates of patient dosing errors vary based on method, but one thing is clear: errors in patient dosing happen more frequently without safeguards, and the potentially devastating effects may be reduced with the use of barcoding systems.
3. Comply with future government tracking initiatives
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) created Meaningful Use to support the use of electronic health records, and to help improve quality, safety and efficiency and reduce healthcare errors. Hospitals must meet specific criteria and objectives set by CMS to qualify for the incentive program.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) created Meaningful Use to support the use of electronic health records, and to help improve quality, safety and efficiency and reduce healthcare errors. Hospitals must meet specific criteria and objectives set by CMS to qualify for the incentive program.
4. Protect your reimbursement
While reducing errors for the safety of your patients is most important, patient dosing errors also have a financial impact. As healthcare reform has changed the healthcare system from fee-for-service to outcomes-based reimbursement, it’s critical for providers to meet high-quality standards in order to maximize their reimbursement and financial performance.
While reducing errors for the safety of your patients is most important, patient dosing errors also have a financial impact. As healthcare reform has changed the healthcare system from fee-for-service to outcomes-based reimbursement, it’s critical for providers to meet high-quality standards in order to maximize their reimbursement and financial performance.
5. Protect your reputation
In the context of consumerism — where patients have a choice of where they get care — your good reputation is critical. A record of adverse patient events may harm your ability to attract patients and referring physicians.
In the context of consumerism — where patients have a choice of where they get care — your good reputation is critical. A record of adverse patient events may harm your ability to attract patients and referring physicians.