Implementation of Barcode Medication Administration System in Public Sector Medical Units in the UAE

Abstract

Patient safety and quality of care are a priority for the healthcare sector worldwide; this is mandated by global and international organizations World Health Organization (WHO, 2013, 2017), and local health authorities in UAE, for instance the Department of Health (DoH), the regulatory body in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi. As per JCIA “Joint Commission International Accreditation “patient safety is the first goal of the International Patient Safety Goals (IPSG), having the potential to affect patient life significantly; however, there is an increase in the cost of healthcare services, arising from dealing with subsequent patient complications and the cost of legal liabilities, and causing inefficient utilization of healthcare organization resources. To prevent medication errors, healthcare infrastructures have started to focus on establishing an efficient, reliable, and usually electronic medication administration process and management. However, mainly human who are vulnerable and prone to errors control the current process. Barcode medication administration (BCMA) is one of the latest technologies used to respond to this problem, and it offers a solution that may contribute to improved safety. The main objectives of this study are to determine the preparatory needs for introducing a Barcode Medication Administration System (BCMA) and to identify, categorize, and prioritize the main criteria for a successful implementation of this technology in healthcare facilities, and to draw a roadmap for effective and efficient implementation of the system. This would lay the groundwork for generalizing BCMA in the UAE health system and highlight the main factors that would lead to successful BCMA implementation. This study would also help to identify challenges and facilitators that affect new technological adoptions in the healthcare system in the UAE and prioritize them to inform similar technology implementation projects in the future.