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The final piece of the BWH move to the Electronic Medication Administration System – bringing the electronic medication record (eMAR) on-line – begins next week. While other hospitals are just beginning the conversion to electronic medication systems, BWH now leads the nation with a comprehensive system that links order entry, pharmacy and the medication administration record to improve patient safety.
The last several months have seen final enhancements to the automated medication administration record, based on suggestions from pilot test participants in the winter of 2004. Thanks to the feedback of these users, eMAR medication carts will feature a full-size laptop and wireless scanner. The pilot phase also turned up a list of needed software enhancements that have been addressed by Information Systems.
The first phase of the rollout starts next week on floors eight through 10 in the Connors Center and is expected to be complete by the end of 2004. Rollouts for other medical and surgical units will be timed for after BICS Modernization, with a goal of resuming in March 2005. Oncology units are slated to transition to eMAR in the fall of 2005. To ease into the transition, all RNs will receive four hours of eMAR training and will have as resources a “super user” on their unit who will have received additional training learning how to troubleshoot eMAR issues. Special online training courses have been developed for other eMAR users to take at their own convenience.
Judy Hayes, RN, director of Professional Practice, Quality and Staff Development said, “The eMAR rollout culminates a 10 year effort and represents a significant step forward in medication administration safety. We have come far with the help of Pharmacy, Medicine, Information Systems and the many nursing staff who have been so positive throughout the pilot projects,” she said. “I would like to commend all who have helped. Thanks to their efforts, the program we are introducing over the next year and a half will pay tremendous benefits in ensuring the medication safety of our patients.”