MASSENA -- Massena Memorial Hospital’s new electronic medication administration system wasn’t easy for staff to get used to, but it is in operation and its benefits are clear, the hospital says.

The focus of the project is preventing errors in medication and providing education on pharmaceutical and patient safety.

Massena Memorial began in the spring using Meditech Bedside Medication Verification system to administer medications to inpatients on medical, surgical, pediatric, telemetry and intensive care units.

Grant funding was essential to ensuring a successful transition to a computerized “systems” approach to medication management, MMH says.

“Electronic medication administration record and bedside medication verification is a step forward in patient safety and a move toward a complete electronic medical record,” explained Information Technology Clinical Coordinator Marilyn Carr, RN. “The United States government recently adopted regulations that will require hospitals to make ‘meaningful use’ of electronic health records,” she said.

Using bar-code scanning of orders, drugs and patients, the system will aid in prevention of medication errors, increase patient satisfaction, increase physician satisfaction, and increase nursing satisfaction, according the Joyce Smith, RN, MMH’s director of medical, surgical, pediatric and intensive care units.

The use of bar code scanning increases accuracy and efficiency of caregivers’ records, providing physicians faster and easier access to information to manage patient care.

Smith said staff did have an easy time of adapting, but they see the benefit now.

“In all honesty this was not an easy transition for the staff,” Smith said. “It was met with some resistance at first as the system is a bit overwhelming and a learning curve. I do have to say that our nursing staff met this challenge full face and prevailed. It is now much easier for them and has become an everyday part of their routine.”

Members of the Massena Memorial Hospital BMV Project Staff include: Kelley Tiernan, Chief Financial Officer, Sue Beaulieu, RN, Chief Nurse Executive, FACHE, Eric Miller, RPh, Pharmacy Director, Marilyn Carr RN, IT Clinical Coordinator, Julie Bradley RN, and Leo Tallman RN. Project Leaders include: Carr, Bradley, Tallman, and Holly Deleel, Pharmacy Tech.