By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Northumberland Hills Hospital has shown leadership in implementing administration of medication by barcode.
President and Chief Executive Officer Susan Walsh shared the news at the April board meeting.
This method of using a barcode to verify and document the correct administration of medication ensures patient safety, and this technology has been endorsed by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada.
Since NHH and its regional partners introduced the Epic clinical information system in December 2021, all have shared the goal of a 90% rate in barcode medication administration. In March, NHH became the first to hit that milestone.
Calling it a significant achievement, Walsh said, “we are leaders within the region in bar-code medication. This is due to the intentional strategy of driving it.”
The hospital celebrated on March 21 with a ’90s-themed day for all staff, physicians, midwives and volunteers. Coming to work in ’90s attire was encouraged, and poutine was served by the food services team – 300 servings in all.
