Traditionally, hospital pharmacy departments have been looked at as a ‘behind the scenes’ department responsible for delivery of medications to the patient floors. This year the pharmaceutical care department at Boca Raton Community Hospital (BRCH) implemented exciting new changes.

Over the last three years, the BRCH pharmacy department has transformed, going through major changes related to medication distribution, medication safety and operational efficiencies. Transitioning the medication distribution process was a major step in the genesis for the redesign. The decision was made to use a hybrid model of utilizing medication carts for routine medications and Pyxis automated dispensing cabinets for narcotic medications as well as IV solutions. This model has positioned them for the anticipated roll out of barcode verification of medication for bedside administration.

Kelly Harrington, BRCH pharmacist, holds canister, which is part of new medication distribution system for patients.

In August 2008, the bedside medication administration product, called Horizon Admin-RX, was introduced in the hospital pharmacy. The entire implementation process will take approximately three months. At that time, the paper medication administration record will transition to an electronic medication administration record. This electronic record will be viewable in clinical systems as well as the physician’s portal, a computerized medical record system that allows doctors to view hospital records from their offices.

The Admin-RX system is the critical link which will allow a medication barcode to be scanned at the bedside in order to exercise the “five” rights of medication administration. These rights include the right patient, right drug, right dose, right dosage form and right time. The nursing staff will be able to scan their patient’s armband, the medication barcode, and their employee badge at the bedside, which will produce an electronic medication administration record with real time documentation. This technology will not only enhance medication safety, but will also ease some of the paper documentation processes carried out by the nursing and respiratory staff at BRCH.

“We will also be implementing a ‘pick to light system,’ a radio frequency badge computer application known as Intellishelf, at the main pharmacy in order to streamline our medication distribution and fill processes while enhancing operational efficiencies and safety,” says Sam Genovese, executive director of pharmaceutical care at BRCH. “We are excited to be an integral part of the new medication process as we focus on creating the safest environment and implementing best practices not only for our patients, but for everyone involved in the patient care continuum.”