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Each VNS nurse is equipped with a pen-based computer like the one shown above. The system's database contains a medication database that has more than 200,000 medication entries.
With this medication database, a VNS nurse can, in mere minutes, check a patient's medications for duplicate therapy (two or more drugs being taken for the same purpose) as well as drug-to-drug interactions. Previously, VNS nurses had to look up each medication in their drug books. When you consider that many VNS patients take ten or more medications, and that new drugs are being approved at a record rate, keeping up with the complexity of many new medications was a daunting task.
The medication database classifies drug-to-drug interactions as Severity Level 1 (contraindicated drug combination); Severity Level 2 (severe interaction); and Severity Level 3 (moderate interaction). The database also provides information describing the clinical effects of the interaction and recommends areas for patient management, such as to observe for hypertension.
The medication database also includes patient-focused teaching information. On the pen-based computer, the VNS nurse can easily access information on each medication and teach the patient the drug's purpose, how the drug should be taken, its side effects, and possible interactions. What is more, the information is available on the computer in either English or Spanish and can be printed out to be given to the patient.
Our medication database benefits patients, physicians and VNS. For patients, the medication database enhances the quality of the medication review and the drug information. For physicians, the database means that a nurse will be able to provide him or her with detailed information about the results of the medication review. For VNS, the medication database is an effective tool to help professional staff manage this high risk area.
The medication database can be utilized in all areas of the organization, including referral. Both Central Admissions Unit (CAU) staff members and Home Health Intake Coordinators (HHIC) can access the medication database when entering in a patient's medication. In the hospital, the HHIC can print out the drug review to share with the referring physician. The implementation of the medication database is the culmination of more than a year's work between Systems Applications Implementation (SAI) and Information Systems (IS). A team of VNS field nurses, intake staff, rehabilitation staff, and administrative staff from all programs developed the medication database protocols.
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