Which feedback loop can enhance patient safety in medication administration?

Implementing a Barcode Medication Administration (BCMA) system is critical in enhancing patient safety during medication administration. This technology functions by assigning a unique barcode to each medication and a corresponding barcode to the patient. When a nurse or healthcare provider administers medication, they scan both the medication and the patient's barcode. The system then cross-references this information with the patient's medication orders in real-time.

This process significantly reduces the likelihood of medication errors, such as administering the wrong drug, the wrong dosage, or giving medication to the wrong patient. The immediate feedback provided by the scanning process alerts healthcare providers to discrepancies, allowing for prompt corrections. Consequently, BCMA serves as a robust safety net, enhancing the reliability of the medication administration process and ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Other options lack the same level of effectiveness in ensuring safety. For instance, handwritten medication orders are prone to misinterpretation due to illegible handwriting, while relying on verbal orders can lead to miscommunication and errors. Conducting random checkups, although beneficial for overall care, does not specifically target the accuracy of medication administration like a BCMA system does.