Bar Code Readiness
Leveraging Manufacturer Unit Dose Bar Codes
With more and more medications becoming available in unit dose form, opportunities are opening for hospital pharmacies to save on labor costs and improve patient safety.
In addition to the labor savings on repackaging, hospital pharmacies can avoid the incidence of adverse drug events (ADEs) by employing bar code scanning of medications during dispensing and at the bedside, saving tremendously on costs arising from these errors.
Moreover, professional associations, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) and the Veterans Health Administration call for the use of bar coded medications as a step toward improved patient safety.
That said, bringing your hospital pharmacy in line with these recommendations can be a daunting, though necessary, process. Review this eBook for a brief summary of the opportunities, obstacles, and solutions to consider when preparing to leverage bar coded medications.