Bar code scanning is a process used to validate medication accuracy by having an electronic device read a medication's bar code and compare the information to defined data like patient identification, medication identification, and strength. It helps ensure the right patient receives the right drug at the right dose via the right route at the right time for the right reason by scanning both the medication and patient ID band to avoid errors like giving the wrong medication, formulation, dose, or expired drugs. The goals of bar code scanning are to increase patient safety, satisfaction, efficiency, and nursing satisfaction while decreasing healthcare costs.

1. BAR CODE SCANNING
BAR CODE SCANNING IS A PROCESS OF USING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE TO READ A
MEDICATION BAR CODE AND INTERPRET DATA USING SOFTWARE TO VALIDATE
MEDICATION ACCURACY AGAINST DEFINED INFORMATION SUCH AS
• PATIENT IDENTIFICATION
• MEDICATION IDENTIFICATION
AND
• MEDICATION STRENGTH

2. PREVENTABLE
ERRORS
o ESTIMATED 450,000 ADVERSE DRUG EVENTS
o 25% OF THOSE ARE PREVENTABLE

3. SAFETY FIRST

4. MEDICATION
ADMINISTRATION ERROR
DISCREPANCY BETWEEN
 PRESCRIBER’S INTERPRETABLE MEDICATION ORDER
AND
 WHAT WAS ADMINISTERED TO A PATIENT

5. SCAN THE MEDICATION

6. SCAN PATIENT ID BAND

7. SIX RIGHTS
 RIGHT PATIENT
 RIGHT DRUG
 RIGHT DOSE
 RIGHT TIME
 RIGHT ROUTE
 RIGHT REASON

8. USE BAR CODING AND AVOID
ERRORS
 WRONG MEDICATION
 WRONG FORMULATION
 WRONG PATIENT
 WRONG DOSE
 EXPIRED MEDICATIONS

9. GOALS
 INCREASE PATIENT SAFETY
 INCREASE PATIENT SATISFACTION
 INCREASE EFFICIENCY
 INCREASE NURSING SATISFACTION
 DECREASE HEALTHCARE COSTS

10. References
 Foote S.O. & Coleman J.R.(2008). Medication Administration: The Implementation Process of Bar –Coding for
Medication Administration to Enhance Medication Safety. Nursing Economics, 26 (3), 207-209.
 SeibertH.H.,Maddox R.R.,Flynn E.A.&Williams C.K.(2014). Effect of Barcode Technology with Electronic Medication
Administration Record on Medication Accuracy Rates.AMJ Health System Pharmacists,71,209-212.