Introduction
Using information technology (IT) in the healthcare sector is critical nowadays. Implementing the newest and innovative approaches helps improve outcomes and increase patient satisfaction levels. Thus, health IT is associated with reduced risk of mistakes, better medication administration, and enhanced management of health records. At the same time, the choice of technology should be linked to a particular problem and meet the unit’s needs to guarantee its effectiveness and ability to promote positive results. For instance, the case Controls in the NICU shows how the problem of an accidental overdose of blood thinner in newborns can be resolved by using specific health IT technologies introduced to control dosage and drug usage.
Problem
The discussed case revolves around the problem of wrong dosage and inappropriate drug administration. The overdose of a blood thinner in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) resulted in the death of an infant. The issue might also be caused by the fact that blood thinner comes in both adult (Heparin) and pediatric (Hep-Lock) versions, which are similarly labeled, and the difference between the medications is not apparent (Gogan et al., 2011). Usually, pharmacy technicians are required to stock Heparin and Hep-Lock in different cabinets to avoid confusion; however, because of the similarity of packages, a significant number of vials of Heparin were stored in the pediatric cabinet. It means that the nurse followed the prescription correctly; however, they did not notice that it was the adult version (Gogan et al., 2011). In such a way, the central problem of the case is the correct management of medications, their tracking, dosage, and avoidance of new cases of accidental overdose.
RFID Technology
Addressing the problem requires a multi-pronged approach to ensure all causes are considered. Thus, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology supported by an accounting information system (AIS) to analyze and control the medication process can be a powerful method to manage the issue. Thus, RFID is expected to track medications from arrival at the hospital, the pharmacy, and the patient (Profetto et al., 2022). As comes from the case, the confusion between the adult and pediatric versions of blood thinner is one of the major causes of the emergence and development of adverse effects among infants. For this reason, using RFID tags can be an advantageous solution, helping to ensure the correct medication is used for the procedure.
Thus, the effectiveness of RFID technology is linked to the simplicity of its use and positive outcomes. Nowadays, healthcare professionals’ critical challenge includes minimizing adverse patient effects (Profetto et al., 2022). Under these conditions, the concept of traceability acquires the top priority. It implies identifying all information about the problem from origin to delivery and consumption (Profetto et al., 2022). RFID can significantly increase traceability by using radio waves to transfer information from a tag to an object through a reader (Profetto et al., 2022). This data is controlled in real time, increasing the accuracy of procedures and dosage (Profetto et al., 2022). Supported by the information and detailed description of all prescriptions created by using AIS, this approach can significantly reduce errors. Using AIS, the data from the tag can be compared with the data from the database, and any incongruence can be signaled to prevent the wrong drug or dosage from being used.
The proposed method has specific advantages that should be considered. First, it is cost-saving as using RFID is not expensive, and the unit can allow it. Second, the approach controls several aspects simultaneously. First, the correctness of the drug’s choice will be controlled due to tags. Second, a database about prescriptions will help to monitor whether the correct medication and dosage are used. Third, a real-time protection system will be established, which is vital for reducing the risk of medication errors.
Bar-Code Medication Administration
The second solution might imply using bar-code medication administration (BCMA) as the method to address the problem of overdose. Since confusion with labels in adult and pediatric Heparin was a single event, it is possible to assume that some medication errors occurred because of the human factor or inaccuracy of prescriptions. For this reason, it is possible to implement technology focusing on improving medication administration. BCMA helps to reduce medication errors by 43,5% (Thompson et al., 2018). It implies that nurses scan the patient’s identification bracelet or any other tag close to them and the unit dose of the drug (Thompson et al., 2018). The system will alter a caregiver if any mismatch is observed and any other additional checks are required (Thompson et al., 2018). It can be viewed as an effective measure to address the problem of overdoses in the clinic.
BCMA has several strengths that justify its use in addressing the problem. First, it helps to control nurses’ actions and administration of drugs. Second, if any problem is detected, the system alters a worker, which is vital for safety. Additionally, it is comparatively cost-effective and can be used in the NICU to consider the cases of wrong blood thinner use. BCMA ensures the 5 rights (patient, drug, dose, route, and time) are considered automatically, which reduces pressure on nurses and improves their work (Thompson et al., 2018). Finally, BCMA can be supported with additional measures in the future, meaning it leaves space for the improvement and integration of new technologies necessary for protecting patients and improving outcomes.
Final Choice
In such a way, the discussed options might effectively resolve the problem discussed in the case. However, using RFID and AIS to control the medication process seems preferable. First, it will guarantee that several aspects of the issue are considered. These include problems with the drug’s labeling, using its wrong type, and mistakes in dosages and prescriptions. Second, by comparing prescriptions with those existing in the database, nurses can trace the process and realize that the correct medication is used. Moreover, RFID increases traceability, which is critical for attaining positive outcomes and reducing the number of adverse effects. Finally, the technology is simple and cheap, meaning it can be used in most NICU units to guarantee that no accidental overdose will emerge again.
Conclusion
Altogether, health IT is one of the potent tools that can be used to improve outcomes and reduce the number of adverse effects. For the discussed case, using RFID technology can help enhance the traceability of blood thinners and how they are administered. The ability to control drugs at all stages and ensure that the correct dosage is chosen is vital for minimizing the risk of adverse outcomes and avoiding adverse effects. Furthermore, RFID can be effective in controlling the movement of drugs in the hospital. At the same time, AIS, as the approach to analyzing all prescriptions, can control the process and guarantee that no complications will emerge.
References
Gogan, J., Boss, S., Balaji, S., & Linderman, J. (2011). Controls in the NICU. Case Research Journal, 31(4), 1-8.
Profetto, L., Gherardelli, M. & Iadanza, E. (2022). Radio frequency identification (RFID) in health care: Where are we? A scoping review. Health and Technology, 12, 879–891. Web.
Thompson, K. M., Swanson, K. M., Cox, D. L., Kirchner, R. B., Russell, J. J., Wermers, R. A., Storlie, C. B., Johnson, M. G., & Naessens, J. M. (2018). Implementation of bar-code medication administration to reduce patient harm. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Innovations, Quality & Outcomes, 2(4), 342–351. Web.