Klas, a research firm that monitors healthcare vendors, released its latest report today focusing on smart pump vendors and electronic medical record (EMR) integration. The "Smart Pumps 2012: Wireless Technology and EMR Integration" report states that fewer than 10 providers nationwide currently integrate EMR with smart pump vendors.
“Providers are looking at EMR integration as the next big step to make infusions safer,” said Coray tate, author of the KLAS report. “Drug libraries catch most errors, but mistakes can still be made."
Tate stresses the importance of going wireless, stating “Without wireless you don't know what you don't know. You are essentially static and your ability to adjust your libraries and processes is greatly reduced. Getting to wireless is an important step in safer infusions."
The report highlighted that 23 percent of organizations reported “serious medication incidents” in the past two years. Of these reports, 60 percent of the incidents were made while using drug libraries. EMR integration helps eliminate these types of errors.
Hospira, Cafefusion and Baxter led in wireless technology, according to the report. Hospira’s Symbiq and LifeCare PCA infusion pumps were ranked best in class, and the KLAS report recognized Hospira as an “early leader” in terms of EMR integration.
"Hospira is proud to be recognized for its advances in smart pump technology, patient safety, medication delivery and caregiver efficiency,” Thomas Moore, president of Hospira, said in a press release. “As the leader in infusion technologies and I.V. clinical integration (I.V.C.I), Hospira focuses on delivering quality technology and services to our customers across our entire smart pump offering.”
KLAS works alongside 4,500 hospitals and 2,500 clinics monitoring vendor performance. The “Smart Pumps 2012” report is available at the KLAS Research Web site.
Edited by
Braden Becker
