NCHS Auxiliary supports Excellence In Healthcare
The North Country Health Services Auxiliary has donated $30,000 to the North Country Health Services Foundation's current project, Excellence in Healthcare.
The donation supports new Bedside Medication Verification for the Emergency Department at North Country Regional Hospital. BMV technology is an one component of the Foundation project as well as an important patient safety initiative throughout North Country Health Services.
Scanning devices will be used at the bedside to help ensure patients receive the proper medication. Under the BMV system, as a patient checks in, he or she is given an ID wristband with a personal bar code linked to his or her computerized medical records. After review for allergies, interactions, duplicate therapy and dosage errors, clinical pharmacists enter the doctor's medication orders into the hospital computer system. The orders then appear on the patient's drug profile.
Whenever a medication needs to be administered, the nurse waves a handheld scanner over the ID bracelet to verify the patient's identity. It also links to the patient's personal medication profile. The drugs, which have their own bar codes, are scanned as well to confirm the patient is receiving the right dose of the right medication at the right time.
Other items in the Excellence in Healthcare package include: GeneXpert System lab equipment, 12 room renovations, Same Day Surgery TVs, indoor and outdoor healing gardens, and spoken menu technology.
To support the project, call NCHS Foundation at 333-5515.