Bar code medication administration (BCMA) is a barcode system designed to prevent medication errors in healthcare settings and improve the quality and safety of medication administration. The overall goals of BCMA are to improve accuracy, prevent errors, and generate online records of medication administration.
It consists of a barcode reader, a portable or desktop computer with wireless connection, a computer server, and some software. When a nurse gives medicines to a patient in a healthcare setting, the nurse can scan barcode on the wristband on the patient and make sure that the patient is the right patient. The nurse can then scan the barcode on medicine, the nurse and the software can then verify if it is the right medicine at the right dose at the right time by the right route in the right patient ("five rights"). Bar Code Medication administration was designed as an additional check to aid the nurse in administering medications; however, it cannot replace the expertise and professional judgment of the nurse.
BCMA was first implemented in 1995 at the Colmery-O'Neil Veteran Medical Center in Topeka, Kansas, USA. It was conceived by a nurse who was inspired by a car rental service using barcode. From 1999 to 2001, Department of Veterans Affairs promoted the system to 161 facilities. Cummings and others recommend the BCMA system for its reduction of errors. They suggest healthcare settings to consider the system first while they are waiting for radiofrequency identification (RFID). They also pointed out that adopting the system takes a careful plan and a deep change in work patterns.