Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) works to improve Medication Administration

From the initial order to the dispensing of medications to the patient, it is the responsibility of all healthcare providers involved to ensure that the most efficient and safe process is done. This requires many health professionals’ contribution to ensure that the right patient receives the right medication at the right time. Physicians, pharmacy, nurses and respiratory therapists all participate to ensure high quality, safe care.

In March, the medicine unit, the intensive care unit (ICU) and progressive care unit (PCU) at CKHA began using a computer generated medication administration record (CMAR). In simple terms, the document that the nurses and respiratory therapists use to guide administration of medications will be generated electronically from the pharmacy database. CMARs reduce the amount of hand written information on the medication record, improving the legibility and decreasing time away from the bedside. It also increases the medication safety checks that care providers do in ensuring the medication is given accurately.

Because it is an electronic record, CMAR allows nursing, respiratory, pharmacy and physicians to see the same information at all times, either in the paper file or in the patient’s electronic health record, reducing the risk for miscommunication between providers.

The momentum is continuing into the in-patient surgery department and the expected integration of CMARs across all in-patient care areas throughout CKHA is scheduled by the end of May.

I would like to thank Ruth LeClair and Janice McCready from Medicine, and Doreen Windsor from ICU, the pharmacy department and the rest of the CMAR task force for their hard work in improving the care we provide to our patients. This project continues to reflect CKHA’s vision of “An Exceptional Community Hospital, Setting Standards - Exceeding Expectations”.

Ruth LeClair (left) and Janice McCready (right) showing CMAR to Stephanie Bond, RN.

Doreen Windsor (right) with Nicole Leclerc, Ward Clerk and Phil Taylor, Professional Practice Nurse.