Electronic Medication Administration
Program (eMAP)
Making Medication Delivery Even Safer
In 1999, a report released by the Institute of Medicine focused a national spotlight on preventable errors in hospitals and the patient harm that can result.
Rather than initiate lengthy studies of our own, settle for quick fixes or introduce interim solutions in response to the report, Sutter Health stepped forward with definitive and decisive steps. We redoubled our efforts to introduce significant, measurable improvements that ensure the safety of our patients.
In 2003, for example, physicians, nurses and pharmacists throughout our not-for-profit network started using advanced bar-code technology to assist medication identification and help prevent errors. Known as the electronic Medication Administration Program (eMAP), this technology will better ensure the safe bedside administration of about 30 million medications throughout Sutter Health affiliated hospitals annually. This invaluable tool should also help attract nurses to the organization.
How will this technology work?
A bar code is added to each patient's personalized wristband, the nurse’s ID badge and each dose of medication. The three codes are used to match and monitor the medication ordered by the doctor.
Before administering a medication, the nurse scans each of the three bar codes using a handheld device at the bedside. A bedside computer then "reads" these bar codes into a software application that uses expert databases to ensure the right medication in the right dose is given to the right patient at the right time and via the right route of administration.
Immediately — through a message box on the computer screen — the nurse is alerted to any potential errors and is given other critical information that could prevent potential adverse drug events.
A multitude of pharmaceuticals
Today, more than 17,000 trade and generic pharmaceuticals are marketed in North America. The number of medications has also grown 500 percent in the past decade.
Through eMAP our network is helping the patient-care team manage these medications and intercept potential errors at the bedside. It is also helping to ensure accurate administration of medications at the final stage of the medication treatment process. In addition, it allows the health care team to track vital information about the patient's current medications, conditions and drug allergies.
It also alerts the bedside provider to possible allergies and look-alike/sound-alike or high-risk drugs.
"Studies have shown that across the industry, 39 percent of medication errors occur during the administering process and only 2 percent of these errors are caught," said Dean Inami, PharmD, vice president of pharmacy for Sutter Health. "This easy-to-use technology will help avoid medication errors and prevent negative outcomes."
This technology increases efficiency in patient care by automatically creating an electronic medication administration record and other useful reports that can be analyzed to improve clinical processes.
Sutter Health selected the MedPoint bar code-enabled point-of-care software system, pioneered by Bridge Medical, Inc., in Solana Beach, Calif. to provide this advanced safety net for patients and nurses. Sutter Health is the first health care provider in Northern California to select the Bridge Medical system. We refer to our bar-coding initiative as eMAP.
"Just like a skilled worker in any profession appreciates a tool that will help them create a better product or service, nurses are hungry for tools that help them better serve their patients," explained Susan Bumatay, R.N., MSN, chief nurse executive for Sutter Delta Medical Center. "Our nurses are very excited to be working for an organization that truly cares about improving clinical quality, service and safety."
The bar-coding system has already been installed at multiple Sutter Health affiliates. Plans are underway to implement eMAP at all other Sutter Health affiliated hospitals over the next three years.