Analytic Cover Essay On Vulnerable Populations

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Recommended: Bar Code Medication Administration

Analytic Cover Essay - Kinney For my research paper, I will be discussing the impact of medication errors on vulnerable populations, specifically the elderly. Technology offers ways to reduce medication errors using electronic bar-coding medication administration (BCMA) systems. However, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are not using these systems. Medication is still administered with a paper or electronic medication administration record (eMAR), without barcode scanning. In contrast, every hospital I have been in: as a patient, nursing student, and nurse uses BCMA systems. The healthcare system is neglecting the elderly. Nursing homes should use BCMAs to reduce the incidents of medication errors. This topic directly correlates with civic engagement and intercultural knowledge. The avoidance from administration to use BCMA systems within SNFs is negligent at best and elder abuse at worst. I have a duty to care for those in my community, even if they are living in a nursing home. I also have an opportunity to understand a different culture to determine if there are any ways in which I can benefit them or it can benefit me. Unfortunately, SNFs are very different living environments than an American family home. …show more content…

This article points to medication error as a multi-disciplinary concern, from writing the orders, to dispensing the medication, to administering the medication; physicians, pharmacists, and nurses are all involved. The BCMA also allows for enhanced security as all medications pulled from the medication cart are routinely

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