8/1/11 Pomerene updates to electronic patient medication records
By Nick Sabo
August 1, 2011
237
A new electronic tracking system at Pomerene Hospital is designed to help patients and doctors safely monitor medications.
Chief nursing officer Nicole Kolacz Thursday July 28 informed the hospital board of trustees that an electronic medical records (EMR) system is in place that makes a record of patient medication use from the time the patient walks through the door until discharge. The record is updated continuosly and will be available to physicians at all times during the patients stay.
Kolacz said the idea behind the EMR system is patient safety. The record begins by getting a list of medications the patient is currently taking, so hospital staff can safely administer drugs that will not react negatively with what the patient is already taking.
However, getting the names of medications is often difficult, Kolacz said. Patients often dont know the names of medication they take daily.
It gets a little complicated now, especially when theyre seeing multiple providers, Kolacz said. Bringing in the (pill) bottles is the best way. Family and ambulance squads have been very good about this.
The record follows the patient throughout their stay electronically and is available wherever they may be in the hospital. The record also includes over the counter drugs, vitamins and herbal supplements, as these can also interfere with medications.
Kolacz said the EMR lists the dose of the medication, name, and how often the patient is taking it.
The hospital formerly had the information available on charts. With the EMR, the record is available at terminals right at the patients bedside.
Having the record available further reduces duplication. The record is added to the system and updated with every new visit.
Were really just trying to make it safe as we can for patients, Kolacz said. Everything starts when they walk in the door. Its real importatant to have that list from the beginning.
Pomerene CEO Tony Snyder said patients and staff will benefit from having a reliable record, identifying medications and related information, on hand.
This is a significant issue for the hospital, Snyder said. It is amazing how many people come in and say, its a little yellow pill. They dont know what theyre taking.
The next meeting of the Pomerene Hospital Board of Trustees will be held Aug. 25.
