Combining Corniche Hospital’s clinical proficiency and safe medication administration policy with a technology company’s health care and data management capability, the result – a positive patient identification (PPID) program to improve patient health outcomes and safety – has earned global recognition for its sophisticated healthcare IT solution, according to a press release.
Cerner, the technology company, and Corniche Hospital recently introduced a full closed-loop medication administration in the United Arab Emirates.
The PPID program, like many in the U.S., uses barcode technology to validate information with a handheld device that scans a patient's wristband and medication, then relates it back to the patient's electronic health record (EHR), proving the patient is who he says he is, and providing patient safety in treatment delivery, without compromising a patient's privacy, the press release states.
The program is in compliance with Joint Commission International (JCI) standards, which establishes accreditation for healthcare organizations worldwide.
Managing medication is one of the most complex – and serious – parts of a hospital’s delivery of care, according to an Amalga Hospital Information System whitepaper. This is because it brings together doctors, lab technicians, different clinicians, different departments, and everyone has to get it right.
"Thanks to the closed-loop medication process, medication is administered at the patient's bedside, ensuring the 'five rights' are identified on one single screen: right patient, right medication, right dosage, right time, and right route," said Dr. Mariam Al Mazrouei, deputy CEO, Corniche Hospital, in the press release. "Under the directives of Abu Dhabi Health Services (SEHA)'s Health Information Systems Committee, Corniche Hospital, together with Cerner, is proud of this achievement which aims to strengthen the quality of our patient care and reduce human error."
The program has been rolled out in one nursing unit of Corniche Hospital, qualifying the hospital for Stage 6 certification recognition in the HIMSS Analytics Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM).
Achieving Stage 6 means the hospital has proved its adherence to advanced clinical decision support, proactive care management, and structured messaging. Other hospitals in the U.S. have also reached this point, including two in the Carolinas.
"We are very proud to achieve another major advantage in enhancing patient safety by developing and implementing this advanced technical solution," said George Yacoub, CIO, Corniche Hospital. "This has truly been a collaborative effort between the IT and Pharmacy departments at Corniche Hospital, colleagues from SEHA IT as well as our partners, Cerner and CareFusion."
To qualify for this advanced certification, over the past year Corniche Hospital has automated its entire medication management processes, including procurement, physicians orders (prescribing), order verification and automation of the dispensing/preparation processes, allowing clinicians to quickly reference a patient's medical history, alerting them to possible risks or allergies, and improving outcomes, while minimizing errors.
Edited by
Rachel Ramsey
