Barcode Scanning

We scan the patient's armband and then scan their medications. I don't think we have alot of med errors because all our meds are in the Pyxxis. Last place I worked only PRN, narcs and new med orders were gotten from the Pyxxis, all the rest were loaded into a locked med cart by pharmacy.

I work for the VA, which has been using the BCMA system for 10 - 11 years. Everything is scanned, even the pts. treatment creams and ointments. We have the Omni cell for narcotics which is like a pyxxis from what I hear. It is so difficult to return to paper once you go electronic. We do have a back up contingency plan on paper which is updated and ready to go in case we have a power outage and the generators can't hold us for our wireless notebooks that are located on our medcarts. BCMA is a terrific system, there are times when computers are tired and not running optimally. The previous shift sometimes forget to plug them in to keep the batteries charged.

BCMA is the way to go......Another VA nurse....