Effects of bar code-assisted medication administration (BCMA) on frequency, type and severity of medication administration errors: a review of the literature
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Jeroen Jules Margriet Hassink; Mark Marinus Peter Maria Jansen; Pieter J. Helmons
- Source
- European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy. 19:489-494
- Subject
- Medication error
medicine.medical_specialty
Pediatrics
business.industry
medicine
Medication administration
General Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics
Error reduction
Intensive care medicine
business
- Language
- ISSN
- 2047-9964
2047-9956
Bar code-assisted medication administration (BCMA) is increasingly being adopted as an additional tool in the prevention of medication administration errors. This literature review summarises the evidence behind the effects of BCMA technology on medication safety. Although most studies show an error-reducing effect of BCMA technology, compliance with the new technology after its implementation and the long-term effects on error reduction are often not assessed. Most importantly, the effect of medication error reduction on patient outcomes is limited.