Bar Code Scanning Meds

[momangel29]

At our hospital we are now instituting a bar code scanning system for meds that is linked to our computer system.We will have to get our meds out of the omnicell,suremed computer first anyway then scan all the meds and then scan the patient.If the patient is on isolation we will have to enter the meds in by hand.We will no longer have a paper m.a.r.We will have to enter everything by hand also if we give meds late because patient is off the floor we have to enter those by hand as well.This system is going to take so much longer.We hear that this is going to be Florida law so we don't have a choice but all the nursrse are up in arms about it.How much more time are we going to take away from our patients to spend on computers? :imbar

[SCRN1]

Does this mean no more checking off MARs for the next day on the night shift? WoooooooHooooooooo!!!

One advantage to this I can see is if a nurse on a previous shift gave a med, but forgot to sign off on it, we'll be able to find out if it was given without having to track her down after she's left the hospital to find out, right?

[momangel29]

Well we started the bar code scanning this week and anxiety was

running high all over the hospital.I don't think it helps when people are nasty with each other.

Pharmacy was going wacko.Right now we are all in a pit.

The system itself is not hard to use.A few cliches here and there but nothing difficult.The time factor involved because we are still using the omnicell to get the meds out first is a problem.And the cosigning of insulin on the computer is also time consuming.We have quite a few diabetics and give alot of insulin.

Well I must continue on.

[2rntish]

SCRN1, if the nurse uses the system the way it is designed: scan yourself, scan the patient, scan the med...it will not be a problem. Your documentation is done.