KLAS: Providers demand, but are slow to deploy EMR-integrated smart pumps
More than half of U.S. healthcare providers consider EMR integration a key factor in selecting smart-pump vendors and products—but the number of providers who are actually integrating their smart pumps is in the single digits.
So said KLAS in announcing the results of a new survey, which also found that only 60 percent of 218 provider organizations surveyed are live on wireless technology despite the fact that it is required for EMR integration.
Report author Coray Tate, the healthcare research firm’s vice president of clinical research, said 23 percent of respondents reported serious medication incidents in the past 24 months and 60 percent of those were made while using drug libraries. EMR integration with automatic programming would help eliminate those types of programming errors.
Respondents favored vendors established in the market over those still getting started with wireless smart pumps. KLAS said those using wireless pumps were much more likely to be using smart pump report data and monitoring drug library compliance.
CareFusion and Hospira, followed closely by Baxter, are the leaders in delivering wireless functionality and EMR integration, according to the report. Providers’ greatest frustration is waiting on the delivery of these features.
“Without wireless you don’t know what you don’t know,” said Tate. “You are essentially static and your ability to adjust your libraries and processes is greatly reduced. Getting to wireless is an important step in safer infusions.”
So said KLAS in announcing the results of a new survey, which also found that only 60 percent of 218 provider organizations surveyed are live on wireless technology despite the fact that it is required for EMR integration.
Report author Coray Tate, the healthcare research firm’s vice president of clinical research, said 23 percent of respondents reported serious medication incidents in the past 24 months and 60 percent of those were made while using drug libraries. EMR integration with automatic programming would help eliminate those types of programming errors.
Respondents favored vendors established in the market over those still getting started with wireless smart pumps. KLAS said those using wireless pumps were much more likely to be using smart pump report data and monitoring drug library compliance.
CareFusion and Hospira, followed closely by Baxter, are the leaders in delivering wireless functionality and EMR integration, according to the report. Providers’ greatest frustration is waiting on the delivery of these features.
“Without wireless you don’t know what you don’t know,” said Tate. “You are essentially static and your ability to adjust your libraries and processes is greatly reduced. Getting to wireless is an important step in safer infusions.”
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.