Sinai Health is continually finding new and better ways to enhance care and achieve better clinical outcomes for our patients. That’s why, Bridgepoint is implementing a new medication management system that changes how medication orders are entered and delivered to patients.
During the Closed Loop Order System process, the physician enters the medication order directly into the patient’s electronic health record. The medication is packaged and dispensed into barcoded individual dose packets. Finally, a nurse scans the barcode on a patient’s wristband as well as the barcode on the packet for verification.
“This process decreases errors, ensuring the correct medication and dose is given to the correct patient,” says Janice Takata-Shewchuk, Senior Director of Pharmacy. “Just as important, is the timing of medication, so this system provides visual and automated prompts for the nurses as reminders when the next medication is due.”
The system will go live to all units at Bridgepoint on November 20, but the clinical teams on 6N and 6S have been piloting the new process since October 16. “Implementing the new medication system has been a transition on the unit,” says Nicole Brioso, RN on 6N, “But it allows us to minimize errors and put patient safety first. As a nurse that is our number one priority.”
The Closed Loop Medication Management System is the gold standard for safe medication management. “Planning for this project at Bridgepoint started in 2012, led by a multidisciplinary team, and we’re proud to be one of very few hospitals in Ontario to have implemented an end-to-end medication management system,” adds Janice.
