Medication program supports safety, quality of patient care

Physicians, nurses and other caregivers at Enumclaw Regional Hospital have begun using a medication-verification program at their patients’ bedside that ensures accuracy, increases patient safety and enhances overall quality of care.

Before administering medications, clinicians employ barcode-scanning technology to confirm the patient’s identity and medication information with data available through the Meditech electronic medical record system.

“This technology helps us to meet the ‘Five Rights’ of medication management – right patient, right medication, right dosage, right route and right time,” said Danielle Rogers, clinical manager for women and infant services at Enumclaw Regional who led implementation of the new program.

Caregivers can:

• Document the administration of medications;

• Enter comments relating to the administration of medications;

• Enter reasons why a medication is not being administered;

• Adjust the actual dose being administered;

• View a medication’s order and dose instructions;

• View a medication’s label comments;

• View associated information or special instructions.

“We are committed to providing our patients with the best care possible,” said Shelly Pricco, director of patient-care services at Enumclaw Regional Hospital. “Using state-of-the-art technology helps us to deliver on our commitment to excellence every day.”

The technology moves Enumclaw’s hospital one step closer toward a completely electronic health record. Enumclaw Regional has been recognized as one of the “Most Wired” community hospitals in the nation four times in recent years by Hospitals and Health Networks magazine for its use of information technology to achieve operational efficiencies and support quality patient care.

The bedside medication verification program will continue in the new Enumclaw hospital that opens in February 2011. The newest Franciscan Health System facility will feature: 25 private patient-care rooms with inspirational views of the Cascade foothills and the hospital’s healing garden; 12 private treatment rooms in the 24-hour emergency department; a rooftop helipad for use by medical transport helicopters;

dedicated space for diagnostic imaging, gastrointestinal and other specialty medical services; and state-of-art medical technology.

Additionally, the new Enumclaw hospital will be first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified hospital in Washington thanks to environmentally-friendly “green” characteristics like sustainable building materials; non-toxic paints; energy-efficient mechanical and lighting systems; low-flush toilets; and landscaping features to capture and filter rainwater.

Enumclaw Regional Hospital, established in 1949, has been affiliated with the Franciscan Health System since May 2007.

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