Towards fewer medication errors

Spain – At Denia Hospital, the introduction of closed-loop medication marks a significant step towards achieving digital maturity. Vicent Moncho, Head of Information Systems Service at Denia, reported in an interview with the Spanish news website Redacción Médica that this innovation has notably reduced medication errors and enhanced patient care.

Medication errors, which can occur at various stages from prescription to administration, are a major concern globally. The NHS reports over 230 million such errors annually, with medication mishaps ranking as the third leading cause of death in Spain, according to SENSAR. Fortunately, 80% of these errors are preventable. A critical solution is the digitization of medication management.

Moncho highlighted that prior to digital interventions, Denia Hospital relied heavily on paper records and manual processes, which compromised the tracking of medication errors and the management of data. The transition to a digital medication management system has aimed to minimize these errors and improve both staff support and data management. This system utilizes advanced computing and analytics to enhance decision-making and streamline medication management throughout the hospital.

Improved Operations and Patient Care

The strategy has revolutionized the hospital’s approach by digitalizing and automating processes, significantly reducing errors, and enhancing healthcare quality. This technological integration has improved decision-making and optimized resources, profoundly impacting hospital operations and patient care.

In oncology, the hospital implemented chemotherapy prescription software alongside a barcode scanning system that has significantly improved patient safety and reduced errors, demonstrating quick adaptation and increased trust from the nursing staff.

Additionally, automation has enabled more effective medication management through the use of automated dispensing cabinets and streamlined logistics. This has reduced the need for extensive staffing and minimized inventory levels, thus reducing waste and improving cash flow.

Denia Hospital’s efforts were validated against the HIMSS Electronic Health Record Adoption Model (EMRAM), where it successfully achieved Stage 7.

Original Interview in Spanish

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