I have heard a rumor out there.. that there are some facilities that are trying to implement a new computer/EMR system and it is suppose to communicate with the pharmacy software package thru a interface.
In the computer world.. two computers can communicate in two different manners.. one is interfaced… which is basically that the two computers have two different operation system and/or function using different computer languages… Someone will create a program that will interpret the data from one computer’s language to the other computer’s language.. creating a “electronic conduit” for data to be exchanged by the two computers..
The other means is to integrate two different computer functions… everything is coordinated using the same computer operating system and same language.. there is no interpretation needed and is typically less troublesome for the user.
What is a Pharmacist to do if a newly implemented system – say in the last year – has been documented to have some serious flaws.. for example… no matter what order is entered for some drugs/strengths.. always shows up in the pharmacy computer system as only the same drug and strength every time… or a prescriber enters a stat order and it shows up in the pharmacy as a month’s supply or not as a stop order.
One has to ask.. where does the liability fall.. does the pharmacist call to verify every order.. compare it to a faxed copy of the order?
These system have to be approved by the state’s BOP…but.. how many computer experts – if any – does a BOP have… We have seen what the MASS BOP did with NECC and high risk compounding.. and computer expertise is far removed from being a pharmacist.
With NECC the legislator and the governor got involved when the BOP failed to do their job..
Will the RPH still be held at fault if management and legal have been repeatedly sent emails with documentation of “faults” in the system… and everyone involved has failed to get things corrected?
Should a Pharmacist contact the employer’s insurance carrier… maybe anonymously .. providing documentation of what is going on.. and the risk that the insurance company is unknowingly being asked to under write?
A pharmacist can only accept so much risk… but accepting risk for something that he/she does not have any control over.. such as computer hardware/software or other things that are clearly upper management decisions to implement into the system.
IMO.. if you go along to get along… you will be one of the first thrown under the bus…
Filed under: General Problems
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