Abstract
Langley Manson Health (LMH) built a new hospital to replace the Langley Medical Center’s current facility. Objectives such as nurse and physician empowerment and quality improvement strategies were pursued to accomplish strategic planning. Using an electronic health record (EHR), they attempted to broaden the scope of health information technology. As a result of the project’s development, outdated technology and computerized discharge prescriptions are replaced by a fully automated pharmacy information system. Thus, nurses’ workload was reduced, and medication errors were reduced due to this project’s use of smart IV pumps to replace the older pumps. Implementation is recommended using CPOE (Computerized Provider Order Entry) with decision support.
Introduction
Patients’ safety and well-being have been improved through information technology in health centers. In recent years, the nursing and pharmacy professions have turned to cutting-edge technology to keep health institutions running efficiently. Nursing and pharmacy staff at Langley Mason Health are exploring implementing an information technology that could improve patient safety and care, according to LMH (Delaney, 2018). As a chief information officer, Marilyn Moore is aware of the need to upgrade the outdated IV pumps to smarter models. The opposite is true; different points of view inside the organization have led to difficulties in putting these plans into action. Marilyn Moore says that it is possible to incorporate other techniques to attain the specified purpose and objective.
Current Situation and the Major Issues in the Case Study
At the moment, Langley Mason Health (LMH) is identifying funding sources to bring the facility’s master plan to fruition (FMP). Currently, available funds are insufficient in comparison to what has been raised. Accordingly, as stated in the case study, LMH is looking to raise extra funds through “revenue bonds, growth initiatives, charitable activities, and outstanding operational performance over the next ten years,” among other sources. Because a significant percentage of LMH’s routine capital funding is also being redirected to this same endeavor, the hospital is effectively left with very little it can do in the longer term. As a result, the amount of money available to spend on equipment, technology acquisition, and other normal maintenance is minimal.
LMH is devoted to patient safety and is creating a hospital-of-the-future facility that the leadership team expects will be the safest in the country. Phase 2 of the project involves the implementation of CPOE with decision-support capabilities, which is a computerized provider order entry system. Originally scheduled for completion, this phase has been postponed due to the many issues in Phase 1, which have to be stabilized and improved. All acute care units of LMH are equipped with Pyxis medicine dispensing fully automated systems, albeit with outdated technology. Only patients seen and discharged from LMH emergency departments have access to computerized discharge medications and instructions. Medication management errors are considerably reduced using smart pumps, which reduces harm to patients. However, this spending would eat up over half of the fiscal year’s available capital.
Perspectives of both Directors
Director of pharmacy Paul Robinson has the same mindset as Chief Information Officer, though he varies in some parts of the organization’s overall strategic direction. Modern and advanced technology is used to assist and promote effective services inside the business, which is the primary goal of the LHM division. Paul Robinson has suggested that executing a strategy like this has advantages and disadvantages linked to the technique.
The perspectives display several pros and cons in the case study. For instance, Paul Robinson’s plan suggests that a long-term project will be less risky for the organization if implemented. Short-term initiatives that may be implemented quickly will also be available to the company (Delaney, 2018). Contrary to popular belief, LMH does not need to add to its growing list of technological challenges. He says that the lengthy planning process for the new technology could cause it to be put on hold. Robinson’s plan contains disadvantages that could harm patient safety and organizational efficiency. The nursing and pharmacy professions need smart IV pumps now more than ever.
Appropriate Approach
Paul Robinson’s approach to the execution of Smart pumps appears to be more appropriate because Smart pumps significantly reduce medication administration errors, thereby reducing patient harm. Its spending would devour nearly half of the capital available for that fiscal year (Delaney, 2018). Patient safety can be improved with this as the overarching goal. This is a component of an overall medication management capital purchase and patient safety strategy plan, rather than all other plans being considered simultaneously.
Mediation of the Discussion
Conflicts of ideas and interests can lead to poor management and strategic practices in a company like LMH. The debate mentioned above can be resolved by the top management cadre making decisions. The medical institution has identified issues that are critical to LMH’s operations. The institution’s ability to sufficiently fund the implementation of a given technology will determine whether or not that technology is adopted. As a result, LMH must agree on the critical technologies to be implemented. Consensus can only be reached if enough finances are available to implement specific technologies (Delaney, 2018). To ensure that all of the institution’s goals are accomplished on time, management is compelled to develop a solution.
Conclusion
Nursing and pharmacy personnel at Langley Mason Health (LMH) are considering using information technology that could improve patient safety and care. Langley Mason Health (LMH) is currently looking for financial sources to carry out the facility master plan (FMP). There are various advantages and disadvantages to each perspective in the case study. When using Smart pumps, Paul Robinson’s technique seems more appropriate because Smart pumps are shown to dramatically reduce medication delivery errors, lowering patient damage and devouring about half of all available cash for that fiscal year.
References
Delaney, L. J. (2018). Patient-centred care as an approach to improving health care in Australia. Collegian, 25(1), 119-123.