A data-driven approach to evaluate barcode-assisted medication preparation alerts at a large academic medical center.

Rutvik N Joshi; Samuel Kalaminsky; Agnes-Ann Feemster; John Hill; Joseph Leiman; Doneisha Evelyn; Rosemary Duncan

Study

A data-driven approach to evaluate barcode-assisted medication preparation alerts at a large academic medical center.

August 2, 2023

Joshi RN, Kalaminsky S, Feemster A-A, et al. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2023;49(11):599-603.

View more articles from the same authors.

Technology, such as barcode scanning, is a recognized method for improving medication safety, but poor design may lead to alert fatigue. This article describes a quality improvement project to reduce barcode-assisted medication preparation alerts in the hospital's pharmacies. More than 40% of alerts were identified as "barcode not recognized," such as packages containing more than one barcode. Problems associated with the highest volume of alerts were resolved with staff education, workflow changes, and changes.

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