BCMA Overview Really Powerful at Measuring Stuff What

BCMA Overview Really Powerful at Measuring Stuff

What is BCMA? • Bar Code Medication Administration • BCMA is a separate GUI application (not part of EHR) used to administer medications

BCMA

How does BCMA work? • BCMA allows users to electronically document medications at the bedside or other points-of-care. • The nurse will have a medication cart equipped with a wireless laptop and a barcode scanner.

BCMA • BCMA is used to record administration of medications • But it also provides functions such as: ü ü ü Meds Due List Variance Log (e. g. med errors) Med Admin History PRN Effectiveness tracking Missed Medications Request missing Med from Pharmacy

BCMA and Administration Schedules • BCMA doesn’t handle ambiguity • Schedule ranges need to be removed (i. e. Q 4 -6 H PRN needs to become Q 4 H PRN) • Standard schedules must have defined admin times, e. g. : • Q 4 H 0100 -0500 -0900 -1300 -1700 -2100

BCMA • All “versions” of a medication must be scanned into Inpatient Pharmacy as a synonym for it to be recognized by BCMA • BCMA can use IENs or other standard identifiers such as NDC numbers.

IVs vs. IV Piggybacks • A frequent area of confusion is configuration of IV Piggybacks so that they will function correctly in BCMA

IVs vs. IV Piggybacks • IV Piggybacks are Unit Dose with a Route of IV and a Schedule (e. g. Q 6 H) • IVs are Large Volume and Continuous with an Infusion Rate (e. g. 75 ml/hr)

When is a med due? • With standard BCMA configuration a medication is due the next scheduled administration time. • It is important that everyone be trained to understand this • This will sometimes necessitate using the ‘First Dose Now’ button to start the medication as desired by the Provider

BCMA and Order Verification • Using BCMA properly, nurses should never Verify (in EHR) a Pending medication. • Verification should only happen after Pharmacy has completed the order • The med nurse should never administer a med that has not been Completed by Pharmacy and Verified by Nursing.

Admin Process • The basic process of passing medication remains the same. (BCMA is not a substitute for Nursing Judgment. • This includes: – Wrist band (now with Bar Code) – Identity verification (i. e. ask pt’s name) üRight Drug üRight Dose üRight Route üRight Time

Questions and Discussion Really Powerful at Measuring Stuff