How Smart Infusion Systems Can Improve Your Hospital’s Productivity
The impact of infusion systems on the medical field is unmatched. For over five decades now, IV pumps have enabled medical practitioners to achieve almost 100% bioavailability on intravenous delivery routes. The accurate dose delivery system reduces the errors that were prevalent in traditional gravity IVs. Adoption of Dose Error Reduction Systems (DERS) allows hospitals to monitor drug administration, which improves overall patient care and productivity of the clinicians. Here are five ways in which infusion systems lead to better healthcare.
Reduced Drug Errors
Smart infusion pumps that contain preprogrammed drug libraries play a vital role in reducing medical errors. More than 80% of U.S. hospitals utilize smart pumps to deliver medication and fluids to patients. The DERS software allows the nurses to program duration and rate of flow for each patient.
Proper programming of the IV pumps reduces the risk of human error during the mathematical calculation of the flow rate. Safety features installed on the pumps alert nurses to issues arising with the infusion. These ‘intelligent’ pumps offer troubleshooting advice that may help rectify and eliminate a critical error.
Increased Interoperability
Smart technology allows you to merge the different systems within the hospital to create integrated closed-loop systems. This integration of various hospital technologies helps improve patient safety, nursing and pharmacy productivity, and overall care within the hospital. Wireless connectivity enhances systems management where Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA), and infusion pump software are interlinked. The adoption of the integrated systems provides efficient drug dispensing and patient monitoring during the infusion.
Customized Software
You can configure the smart infusion pumps to match your facility’s unique applications. Almost every section of the hospital utilizes different types of IV pumps – from the ICU, to operating theaters, Neonatal units, and emergency rooms. Wireless connectivity allows your pharmacy to update the drug library to set to the needs and requirements of the respective departments. Regular updates of available drugs in the hospital allows medical facilities to budget for their drugs effectively. A recent study shows 67% of nurses who regularly use smart IV pumps agree that an up-to-date drug library can maximize the efficiency of the infusion systems.
Improved Patient Safety
Modern infusion pumps allow for precise dose delivery with accurate flow rates. Bearing in mind that most drugs given intravenously are high-alert medications, extra caution is required in monitoring the infusions. Any over-infusion or under-infusion can be catastrophic for critically ill patients. Smart technology used in conjunction with trained healthcare professionals is essential in the administration of medicine.
Saves Time and Money
The infusion systems increase the nurse's productivity through time saved during priming and programming of IV sets. Smart infusions allow you to access the drug library to administer the prescribed medication to the patient quickly. Additionally, the modern IV systems help reduce the waste of drugs and IV fluids through a precise dosage with the smart infusion system.
In Conclusion
Infusion systems can significantly increase your ability to maximize patient quality care within the hospital. If you need smart IV pumps, please contact Med One Group to learn more about how you can improve your facility’s performance.