Hu li za zhi The journal of nursing
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Fully implementing the barcode medication administration system has been shown to help improve medication safety. We have promoted the barcode medication administration system in our hospital since May of 2014. However, the rate of implementation reached only 32% initially. We identified the major obstacles to fully implementing the barcode system as: (1) the barcodes on patients' wristbands were smudged or broken; (2) the barcodes on transparent drug bags and infusion bags were difficult to scan; (3) nurses were not familiar with the scanner and lacked the skills necessary to conduct barcode scans; (4) poor wireless Internet access inhibited effective barcode scanning; and (5) the beep sound generated during barcode scanning disturbed patients' sleep. The present project was conducted to improve the implementation by nursing staff of the barcode medication administration system. ⋯ This project significantly increased the use of the barcode medication administration system by our nursing staff. The procedures used in this project may be referenced by administrators at other hospitals with low rates of barcode medication administration system usage.