Improving Barcode Medication Administration Compliance (BCMA) and Interdisciplinary Communication in Outpatient Radiation Oncology through Mobile Electronic Health Record (EHR) Integration

Purpose: To improve clinician BCMA compliance, interdisciplinary communication, and digital experience using the mobile EHR

Background/significance:The growing demand for personalized, safer, and more efficient patient care at our radiation oncology (rad onc) locations has prompted us to optimize and streamline clinician workflows. Our objective is to elevate staff satisfaction and enhance patient safety. Through collaboration between nursing leadership at our rad onc locations and the medical center information technology (MCIT) department, we have identified areas for improvement where the functionalities and features of our mobile EHR can play a crucial role: communication. Outpatient settings, such as the rad onc, present unique challenges in fostering effective interprofessional communication, hindering the seamless collaboration crucial in providing high-quality patient care.

Medication administration compliance: Nurses encounter distinct challenges related to medication administration compliance that necessitate focused attention. Rad onc clinicians predominantly utilize workstations-on-wheels (WOWs) for essential tasks like data entry, medication administration, and secure messaging members of the patient’s treatment team. Unfortunately, the current WOWs fall short in meeting clinicians' requirements for portability and mobility. To tackle these challenges, a decision was made to implement our mobile EHR at our rad onc locations. Existing literature strongly supports the positive impact of mobile technology on interprofessional communication. Secure text messaging has been associated with enhanced and improved communication among clinicians. Furthermore, the use of mobile EHR during clinical work offers various benefits,aiding clinicians in their workflow.

Evaluation/outcome: A thorough analysis of the BCMA compliance report, evaluating the periods before, during, and after implementation, was conducted to determine the influence of the mobile EHR in enhancing compliance and adoption. Additionally, a pre- and post-implementation survey was distributed among the staff to evaluate their baseline and post-implementation perceptions of how the mobile EHR has impacted their workflow.

Conclusion:The implementation of the mobile HER stands as a transformative milestone, showcasing significant improvement in BCMA compliance, interdisciplinary communication, and overall digital experience. This success not only reflects the adaptability of our clinicians but also highlights the importance of embracing digital solutions to enhance efficiency, communication, and the overall healthcare journey.