Final Project Milestone: Pyxis Medication DispensING System ✓ Solved

FINAL PROJECT MILESTONE: PYXIS MEDICATION DISPENSING SYSTEM

For Milestone Three of your final project, you will assess the impact of your chosen information technology and management strategy in two parts. First, you will consider the effects the strategy has on the practice of professional nursing. Second, you will assess the impact of your strategy on promoting patient safety.

Your submission for these two parts must address the following elements: Part I: A. Assess the impact of your chosen topic on the practice of professional nursing. In other words, what effect will use of your chosen topic have on nursing practice in general? Be sure to substantiate your claims with research and examples.

B. Explain the implications of your chosen topic for vulnerable populations with regard to professional nursing practice.

C. Discuss the implications of practicing professional nursing in a healthcare setting that already employs your chosen topic. For example, does it improve patient safety and/or quality outcomes in that healthcare setting? What effect would your chosen topic have on your nursing practice in that specific setting? Be sure to substantiate your claims with specific scholarly evidence.

Part II: A. Summarize the evidence you reviewed that discusses the role your chosen topic plays in promoting patient safety and quality outcomes.

B. Identify specific patient or quality outcomes from the literature you reviewed regarding the use of your chosen topic.

C. Assess the extent to which patient outcomes are, or could be, improved through the use of your chosen topic. Be sure to substantiate your claims with research and examples.

Guidelines for Submission: Your assessment of the impact should be 2–4 pages in length. Formatting should be 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, and one-inch margins. References and in-text citations should use proper APA formatting.

Paper For Above Instructions

The implementation of the Pyxis Medication Dispensing System (PMDS) in healthcare facilities enhances the practice of professional nursing and significantly improves patient safety. This paper evaluates the implications of PMDS on nursing practice and vulnerable populations, along with its role in promoting patient safety and quality outcomes.

Impact on Professional Nursing Practice

PMDS fundamentally transforms the nursing practice by streamlining medication distribution processes. Nurses are often overwhelmed with the responsibility of managing multiple patients' medication regimens. With the advent of PMDS, the reliability and accuracy of medication dispensing increase, allowing nurses to focus more on patient care rather than the intricacies of medication distribution. A study by Tsao et al. (2014) indicates that automated dispensing systems enhance efficiency in drug delivery by reducing the incidence of medication errors, which can enhance nurses' confidence in their medication administration practices. As nurses adapt to using technology like PMDS, their ability to monitor patient safety and medication compliance improves, creating a safer environment for patients.

Implications for Vulnerable Populations

The implications of adopting PMDS extend significantly to vulnerable populations—such as the elderly, children, and individuals with disabilities—who may require specialized attention in medication management. For instance, the bar-code verification system incorporated in PMDS plays a crucial role in ensuring that these populations receive the appropriate medications without errors. Anyanwu and Egwim (2016) emphasize the importance of safeguarding patients' private information within these systems, ensuring that vulnerable groups do not face risks linked to data breaches. Additionally, the efficiency of PMDS could alleviate anxiety for patients with accessibility issues, reinforcing that their medications are dispensed correctly and safely. This technological solution can significantly reduce the disparities in medication management faced by at-risk populations (Mackert et al., 2016).

Effect on Patient Safety

The overarching benefit of PMDS implementation is its direct correlation with improved patient safety. Automated systems reduce the likelihood of human error, a significant contributor to adverse drug events. According to Dobson et al. (2018), hospitals utilizing PMDS have reported a dramatic decrease in medication errors, stemming from both correct prescription fulfillment and better monitoring of administered drugs. Moreover, PMDS allows for real-time access to medication inventories, which not only facilitates quick response to patient needs but also provides alerts on potential overdoses or drug interactions. This predictive capability acts as a safeguard against unsafe practices.

Quality Outcomes From PMDS

The quality of care witnessed in healthcare settings utilizing PMDS is substantially improved. A systematic review conducted by Utech et al. (2017) indicated that automated medication dispensing systems led to increased patient satisfaction due to reduced wait times and better access to medications. Enhanced efficiency allows healthcare professionals to provide timely treatment, which is critical in acute care settings. The study reflects on how PMDS facilitates better communication between healthcare teams regarding patient therapies, thus optimizing quality outcomes. Furthermore, fewer medication errors translate to reduced hospital readmissions, directly benefiting patient health and hospital operation efficiency (de-Carvalho et al., 2017).

Assessing Patient Outcome Improvements

Review of existing literature suggests that PMDS can lead to significant improvements in patient outcomes. It is crucial to evaluate how these technological applications enhance the safety and quality of pharmaceuticals delivered to patients. Studies highlight a clear trend showing that institutions employing PMDS have better metrics in terms of medication reconciliation and patient safety initiatives. The literature expresses that timely medication delivery, facilitated by PMDS, reduces the chances of adverse reactions, ensuring that recovery is not only effective but expedited (Tsao et al., 2014).

Conclusion

The adoption of the Pyxis Medication Dispensing System is notably beneficial to nursing practice and patient care. By significantly enhancing medication administration accuracy and safety, thereby empowering nurses, this system promises to foster a healthcare environment where patients' health and security are prioritized. As health technology continues to advance, it is vital for healthcare facilities to integrate strategies such as PMDS to optimize both clinical outcomes and nursing practice.

References

• Anyanwu, C., & Egwim, O. (2016). The prevalence and determinants of controlled substance discrepancies in a Level I trauma hospital. American Health & Drug Benefits, 9(3), 128.
• de-Carvalho, D., Alvim-Borges, J. L., & Toscano, C. M. (2017). Impact assessment of an automated drug-dispensing system in a tertiary hospital. Clinics, 72(10).
• Dobson, G., Sullivan, S., Tilson, V., & Webster, D. (2018). Reducing Costs of Managing Medication Inventory in Automated Dispensing System in Hospital Units.
• Mackert, M., Mabry-Flynn, A., Champlin, S., Donovan, E. E., & Pounders, K. (2016). Health literacy and health information technology adoption: the potential for a new digital divide. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 18(10), e264.
• Tsao, N. W., Lo, C., Babich, M., Shah, K., & Bansback, N. J. (2014). Decentralized automated dispensing devices: systematic review of clinical and economic impacts in hospitals. The Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 67(2), 138.
• Utech, T., Davis, K. E., & Jaskela, M. C. (2017). U.S. Patent No. 9,842,196. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.