Bar code medication administration (BCMA) systems are electronic scanning systems used in hospitals primarily to prevent medication errors. To use them, a nurse first scans a bar code on a patient’s wristband to confirm the person’s identity. Then, they scan a bar code label on the medication to verify that it’s the right medication, dose, and being given at the right time and by the correct route (IV, oral, etc.).
Deeper Dive
BCMA was first implemented at the Eastern Kansas Health Care System and Colmery-O’Neil Veteran Medical Center in Topeka, Kansas, and was rolled out to 161 VA facilities from 1999-2001, according to techtarget.com. BCMA typically is used in conjunction with electronic medication administration (eMAR) systems to document the administration of medication into electronic health record systems. BCMA also can be used for pharmacy stocking and retrieval processes to help avoid medication dispensing errors. Studies have shown that use of BCMA is effective in reducing medication administration errors, adverse effects from incorrect medications, and health care costs from incorrect medication administration. For more information, see a report from the Leapfrog Group.