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ECMC IS FIRST HOSPITAL IN WNY TO IMPLEMENT FULLY FUNCTIONAL BEDSIDE MEDICATION
VERIFICATION (BMV) TECHNOLOGY
BUFFALO, NEW YORK; April 28, 2008-Utilizing barcode scanning technology, Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) has initiated Bedside Medication Verification (BMV), a system that safeguards the dispensing of patient medications. This initiative addresses the five rights of a patient for medication safety: right patient, right dose, right medication, right time, and the right way.
Errors can occur at any level, from prescribing to documenting, dispensing and administering, and improved patient safety is a driving force behind the new technology. The system incorporates the use of barcodes specific to the medication and identifies patients by their admission wristbands. A mobile medication card with a wireless scanner allows the nurse to administer the medications and document any clinical information directly at the patient's bedside.
The Health Information Management Department implemented the Clinical Documentation Initiative. Through the education of physicians, who create much of the clinical documentation contained in the inpatient medical record, this initiative results in accurate and detailed documentation, thereby improving quality of care, reducing compliance and malpractice exposure, and increasing reimbursement compliantly. Participating physicians learn correct documentation practices for documenting patient encounters in the hospital and outpatient settings. Clinical Documentation Specialists are on the floors analyzing records, working in conjunction with providers and coders each day to ensure complete and accurate documentation and charges.
The ECMC Corporation includes an advanced academic medical center (ECMC) with 550 inpatient beds and 136 skilled-nursing-home beds, on- and off-campus health centers, over 40 outpatient specialty care clinics and the Erie County Home, a skilled nursing facility. ECMC is the regional center for trauma, burn care, rehabilitation and is a major teaching facility for the State University of New York at Buffalo. Most ECMC physicians, dentists and pharmacists are dedicated faculty members of the University. More Western New York residents are choosing ECMC for exceptional patient care and customer service provided as a result of its Culture of Care.
NEWS CONTACT: Joe Cirillo at 716-898-4300 or jcirillo@ecmc.edu
