NHS FPX 6008 Assessment 3 Business Case for Change

Business Case for Change

Hello Everyone, I am Alycia. Today I am here to present the business case of introducing Barcodes for errors in medication related to administration. 

NHS FPX 6008 Assessment 3 Business Case for Change

In this presentation, I will focus on these contents

• Summary of the Issue
• Impact of Barcodes System of Administration
• Practicality and Cost-Benefit Analysis
• Risk reduction for the financial stability 
• Change Proposal
• Stakeholder’s Benefits
• The Solution to the Problem
• Conclusion

Summary of the Issue

The United Hospital of Minnesota is responsible for providing a number of healthcare facilities as well as different services to the community related to the geographical area of the St. Paul. As per the records of this medical facility, the use of barcodes for the administration of the medication is very poor (Mulac et al., 2021). It has many economical concerns along with healthcare problems. It has a huge impact over the quality of care provided by the hospital which leads to economic concerns because the wrong administration of the medication can lead to high morbidity as well as mortality rates (Atila et al., 2022). The St. Paul community’s ethnic variety could lead to linguistic differences while administering medications (St. Paul Government, n.d.). Lingual issues can make it difficult for patients as well as healthcare professionals to verify a patient’s identification or their medicine. This misunderstanding may lead to pharmaceutical administration mistakes and their associated costs, extended hospitalization, or readmission rates. The patients’ right to moral and also equal healthcare could also get affected. Because of this, a hospital’s inability of an efficient method for administering medications is viewed negatively.

The number of Medication errors which include Administration, Dispensing, Transcription, Prescribing, and other such errors can be resolved by using Barcodes for medication administration. 

Impact of Barcodes System of Administration

Without the use of a barcode system of administration in healthcare, the accuracy of medications and patient safety is greatly at risk. Without a barcode system, healthcare professionals have to rely on manual input of data, which can lead to errors in prescribing, dosing, and administering medications. Implementing a barcode system would help reduce errors, improve patient safety, and decrease the likelihood of medical errors and adverse reactions.

Impact on Colleague

If a nurse makes a medication administration error, they may face both moral and legal repercussions. Depending on the severity of the error, the nurse may face disciplinary action from their employer, such as suspension without pay or even termination. In the most serious cases, the nurse may face criminal penalties. In addition, the nurse may also be subject to professional sanctions, such as the suspension of their professional license. Furthermore, the nurse may experience guilt and regret for their error, which can lead to low morale and a decrease in self-confidence(Ozeke et al., 2019).

Impact on Organization

Barcode-related administrative medication errors can have a significant impact on an organization’s quality of care, reputation, and economy. These errors can result in significant financial losses, harm to patient safety, and public distrust. As the number of medication errors due to lack of proper barcode scanning increases, the reputation of the organization can suffer, leading to a decrease in the number of patients seeking care from the organization. This can, in turn, lead to a reduction in revenue and profits. Additionally, the costs associated with barcode scanning errors can be significant, including costs associated with litigation, investigation, and remediation (Rodziewicz et al., 2022). 

Impact on Community 

The use of barcodes in medication administration has been found to reduce administrative medication errors, which can have a positive impact on readmission rates, patient safety, mortality and morbidity, as well as the cost to the community. By reducing the likelihood of incorrect drug doses, or of administering the wrong drug to the wrong patient, barcodes can help to reduce the number of readmissions due to medication errors. Additionally, barcodes can help to ensure that the right drug is given at the right time, helping to improve patient safety and reduce mortality and morbidity. Furthermore, reducing medication errors through barcodes can help to reduce costs associated with readmissions, as well as costs related to hospitalizations and treatment (Elliott et al., 2020).

Cost Benefit Analysis

The feasibility of using barcodes in medication administration is high due to the technology being widely available and the cost of implementation being relatively low. Barcodes are already widely used in the healthcare industry, and many hospitals and clinics already have the necessary hardware and software in place to implement barcode scanning systems. The use of barcodes can help improve patient safety by reducing medication errors and increasing the accuracy of drug delivery.

NHS FPX 6008 Assessment 3 Business Case for Change

The cost of implementing a barcode system for medication administration depends on the size of the facility, the type of system being used, and the number of medications being tracked. Generally, the cost of implementation includes hardware, software, and training for staff. The benefits of using barcodes for medication administration include improved accuracy of drug delivery, reduced medication errors, improved patient safety, and decreased costs associated with medication errors. The cost savings associated with using barcode technology can be significant, as medication errors can lead to additional costs for the facility due to additional treatment, re-testing, and legal fees. Additionally, barcodes can increase efficiency by allowing healthcare providers to quickly and accurately access patient medication information. 

Cost Benefit analysis told us that the reduction in errors (as in the above table) is quite significant and has a huge impact on the economy of the hospital (Naidu & Alicia 2019; Al Mustafa, 2018).

Risk Reduction for the Financial Stability 

The following points could be followed to reduce the risk of medication administration errors and improve the financial stability of the United Hospital

• Establish standard protocols: Establishing standard protocols for medication administration and ensuring that all healthcare providers are aware of and follow them is essential for reducing medication errors. Such protocols should include information about the type of medication, the dosage, and the frequency of administration.
• Utilize technology: Utilize technology and automated systems to help track and administer medications. Automated systems can help to reduce errors by providing alerts if a patient is given an incorrect dose or if a drug has an adverse interaction with another medication.
• Improve communication: Improve communication between healthcare providers to ensure that medication orders are clearly communicated and that any changes or updates are communicated in a timely manner.
• Improve education: Make sure all healthcare providers are adequately trained on the proper administration of medications and are up-to-date on any new protocols or changes.
• Increase oversight: Increase oversight of medication administration processes to ensure that all protocols are being followed and that any errors are identified and addressed quickly.

Change Proposal

• Medication errors are a major issue in the healthcare industry. It is important that we address this issue and reduce the number of errors.
• One way of reducing the number of errors is to use barcodes to automate the process of administering medications. Barcodes can be used to ensure that the right medication is being administered to the right patient at the right time. This eliminates the need for manual methods of administering medications, which can lead to errors.
• In addition, barcodes can be used to track the dispensing and administration of medications. This allows healthcare providers to monitor the process and identify any errors that occur.
• Finally, barcodes can be used to alert healthcare providers of potential drug interactions and adverse reactions. This can help prevent the wrong medication from being administered and reduce the risk of medication errors.
• In conclusion, using barcodes for medication administration can help reduce the number of medication errors and improve patient safety. 

Stakeholder’s Benefits

1. Enhanced Patient Safety: The use of barcodes helps to reduce the chances of medication errors, as the barcodes provide an extra layer of accuracy in the administration of medications. 
2. Improved Efficiency: Barcodes can help streamline medication administration, reducing the time staff need to spend verifying medications and improving the overall efficiency of the process. 
3. Enhanced Accuracy: Barcodes provide an extra layer of accuracy, ensuring the right medication is given to the right patient at the right time. 
4. Cost Savings: Barcodes can help reduce costs associated with medication errors, as they provide an extra layer of accuracy that reduces the potential for errors. 
5. Improved Compliance: Barcodes can help ensure medications are being administered according to the prescribed instructions, helping to improve compliance with regulations and guidelines. (Shawahna & Jaber, 2022)

Equitable and Culturally Sensitive Solution to the Problem

The use of barcode technology in medication administration errors is an important step in ensuring the safety of all patients in the United Hospital of Minnesota. This technology helps to ensure that patients receive the correct medications and dosages while eliminating any potential misunderstandings or misinterpretations that may occur due to language barriers. Additionally, the use of barcodes in medication administration is equitable in the sense that it is applied equally to all patients, regardless of their background, language, or culture. This enhances medication satisfaction, lowers the likelihood of drug mistakes, and lowers related expenses. Furthermore, barcode technology helps to reduce the time and resources necessary for healthcare providers to accurately administer medications. This technology is especially beneficial for patients whose primary language is not the same, as it eliminates any potential misunderstandings or misinterpretations that may occur when healthcare providers are communicating with them verbally. By utilizing barcode technology in medication administration, the United Hospital of Minnesota will be demonstrating its commitment to providing culturally sensitive and equitable care to all of their patients (Litman, 2019). Get NHS FPX 6008 Assessment 3 Business Case for Change by expert writer

Conclusion 

The hospital environment’s underutilization of automated barcode systems has resulted in augmented medication administration errors. This issue impacts the organization, its personnel, and the local community which relies on the healthcare facility for its needs. Introducing a cost-effective barcode medication administration system would be a viable solution to the issue. Such a system would bring about benefits to all stakeholders, such as nurses, the organization, and the patient population. In addition, it would ensure equitable care is provided to all patients, regardless of culture or ethics.

References

Al Mustafa, S. A. (2018). Implementation of barcode medication administration system in public sector medical units in the UAE. https://dspace.adu.ac.ae/bitstream/handle/1/1730/Dr.%20Safa%20Al%20Mustafa%20Dissertation.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y

Atila, C., Loughrey, P. B., Garrahy, A., Winzeler, B., Refardt, J., Gildroy, P., Hamza, M., Pal, A., Verbalis, J. G., Thompson, C. J., Hemkens, L. G., Hunter, S. J., Sherlock, M., Levy, M. J., Karavitaki, N., Newell-Price, J., Wass, J. A. H., & Christ-Crain, M. (2022). Central diabetes insipidus from a patient’s perspective: management, psychological co-morbidities, and renaming of the condition: results from an international web-based survey. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 10(10), 700–709. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2213-8587(22)00219-4 

‌Chen, Y., Wu, X., Huang, Z., Lin, W., Li, Y., Yang, J., & Li, J. (2019). Evaluation of a medication error-monitoring system to reduce the incidence of medication errors in a clinical setting. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 15(7), 883–888. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.02.006 

‌Elliott, R. A., Camacho, E., Jankovic, D., Sculpher, M. J., & Faria, R. (2020). Economic analysis of the prevalence and clinical and economic burden of medication error in England. BMJ Quality & Safety, 30(2), 96–105. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2019-010206 

Litman, R. S. (2019). Use of a public health law framework to improve medication safety by anesthesia providers – Ronald S Litman, 2019. Journal of Patient Safety and Risk Management. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2516043518825383 

‌Mulac, A., Mathiesen, L., Taxis, K., & Gerd Granås, A. (2021). Barcode medication administration technology used in hospital practice: A mixed-methods observational study of policy deviations. BMJ Quality & Safety, 30(12), 1021–1030. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2021-013223 

Naidu, M., & Alicia, Y. L. Y. (2019). Impact of barcode medication administration and electronic medication administration record system in clinical practice for an effective medication administration process. Health, 11(05), 511–526. https://doi.org/10.4236/health.2019.115044 

‌‌Ozeke, O., Ozeke, V., Coskun, O., & Budakoglu, I. I. (2019). Second victims in health care: Current perspectives. Advances in Medical Education and Practice, 10, 593–603. https://doi.org/10.2147/AMEP.S185912 

Rodziewicz, T. L., Houseman, B., & Hipskind, J. E. (2022, December 4). Medical Error Reduction and Prevention. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499956/ 

St. Paul Government. (n.d.). About Saint Paul. Saint Paul Minnesota. https://www.stpaul.gov/residents/live-saint-paul/about-saint-paul

Shawahna, R., & Jaber, M. (2022). Development of consensus-based recommendations to prevent/minimize medication errors in the perioperative care of patients with Epilepsy: A mixed-method. World Neurosurgery, 166, e632–e644. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2022.07.069