Proposed Change
At Tampa General Hospital, one critical aspect requiring focused attention is the reduction of drug administration errors, which includes routine medications and nutritional supportive therapies. The current services offered by TGH include the implementation of Electronic Medication Records (EMR) and Barcoding Medication Administration System (BCMA). However, the ability to administer, track, and maintain the continuity of medication administration remains a gap, posing significant risks to patient safety and well-being. Thus, TGH requires an interoperable BCMA system that improves interoperability from admission to discharge (Citty et al., 2020).
By prioritizing efforts to address this issue, the hospital can enhance the quality of care provided to its patients while mitigating adverse outcomes associated with medication errors. Clear expectations for improvement include implementing comprehensive medication reconciliation processes at all points of care and ensuring accurate documentation of medication orders and administration. Moreover, healthcare provider education and training on safe medication practices should be enhanced. Additionally, technology solutions such as implementing interoperable barcode scanning should be further leveraged to reduce errors (Citty et al., 2020).
Desired Outcomes
The desirable outcomes to be examined through the proposed change are reduced medication errors and financial and health implications. Firstly, accurate medication reconciliation processes ensure that patients’ medication regimens are thoroughly reviewed and documented upon admission, transfer, and discharge, reducing the risk of errors due to discrepancies in medication records. Reduction in medication errors will be measured through dashboard metrics. Secondly, the implementation of advanced technology solutions, such as interoperable barcode scanning systems, facilitates the safe and efficient administration of medications, minimizing the potential for duplication errors and reducing patient complications, thus producing positive impacts on patient health outcomes and cost-effectiveness (Luokkamäki et al., 2020).
This outcome will be measured through post-implementation patient satisfaction scores, financial viability within the organization, and cost-saving outcomes. Moreover, comprehensive healthcare provider education and training programs enhance awareness and competency in safe medication practices, fostering a culture of vigilance and accountability among staff members. This outcome is measured through improved healthcare practices and reducing errors through nursing practices by evaluating medication error incident reports.
NURS FPX 6218 Assessment 1 Proposing Evidence-Based Change
In terms of payment for care, the hospital may need to allocate resources for the initial investment in technology upgrades, staff training initiatives, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation efforts to sustain the improvements. Hospital administration will pay for these innovative procedures with the help of governmental funding or aid such as Medicaid services. However, the long-term benefits of reduced medication errors, including decreased patient harm, readmissions, and associated healthcare costs, justify these investments (Manias et al., 2020).
Factors limiting the achievement of these outcomes may include resistance to change among healthcare staff, resource constraints, and interoperability issues with existing healthcare information systems. However, proactive leadership, stakeholder engagement, and continuous quality improvement efforts can help overcome these barriers. Ultimately, they will drive meaningful progress toward the goal of enhancing patient safety and quality of care.
Health Care System Comparative Analysis
In an effort to learn more and identify an improved strategy, we have carried out a comparative analysis of the prevention and reduction of medication errors in two healthcare systems outside of the United States. In the Netherlands, a voluntary medication error reporting system has been implemented to produce measurable outcomes, such as reducing medication errors, improving health outcomes, and cost-effectiveness. This system allowed healthcare professionals to report errors without fear of punitive action. This approach also encouraged transparency and a culture of learning from mistakes, ultimately leading to improved patient safety and outcomes.
Through the Netherlands healthcare system, we have learned that healthcare providers should report any adverse drug events, near misses, or medication errors to a centralized reporting system, such as the Dutch Institute for Safe Medication Practices (DIMS), preventing the in
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