BD introduces simplified comprehensive IV management [#AHSPMidyear15]

Like many others, I received a press release from BD while attending the 2015 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in New Orleans. The press release touted the introduction of “a simplified way for hospitals to manage intravenous (IV) medication to help improve safety and reduce waste”. The press release goes on to explain how BD has combined their technology with that of CareFusion, which they acquired last year.

I didn’t think much of it at the time. I get lots of these throughout the year, especially during conferences like ASHP Midyear. I always approach them with a heavy dose of skepticism, and for good reason. Announcements like these often describe a Picasso when in reality you’re getting something closer to Dogs Playing Poker.

However, Medgadget Tweeted about BD’s “simplified comprehensive IV management” earlier today. I found that interesting as it didn’t really seem to fit Medgadget’s typical fare. When I clicked on the link in the Medgadget Tweet I was taken to the official BD press release. Hmm.

Here’s the plan laid out by BD in the press release:

• Starting in the IV room of a hospital pharmacy, BD Catoâ„¢ Medication Workflow Solutions have been integrated with the CareFusion SmartWorks platform to seamlessly integrate with pharmacy IT systems to receive IV orders. Throughout the medication preparation process, the BD Cato System helps detect potential errors optimize drug utilization, simplify preparation steps and improve documentation compliance.
• If preparing hazardous drugs, clinicians may use a closed system drug transfer device (CSTD), and BD’s Hazardous Drug Safety portfolio of solutions can help minimize the risk of hazardous drug exposure for health care workers and patients through products like the BD PhaSealâ„¢
• After the medication has been safely prepared and is ready to deliver to the patient floor, the Track and Deliver module of Pyxis® ES Link enables the pharmacy and nurses to see exactly where the medication is during transport and when and where it is delivered. This helps nurses better manage their time and reduces calls to the hospital pharmacy inquiring about status and whereabouts of medication.
• Once the medication makes it to the patient bedside, the Alaris® System with bi-directional electronic medical record (EMR) interoperability bridges the gap between an EMR and an infusion pump. With only one additional barcode scan to a nurse’s workflow, the pharmacist-verified physician’s order can pre-populate the Alaris System, reducing manual keystrokes and infusion programming errors.
• EMR interoperability also enables automated documentation back to the patient’s EMR, where the nurse validates the data in the EMR and commits it to the patient record, eliminating the need for manual documentation and ensuring that documentation is complete and accurate. In addition, Alaris® Viewer Suite for Charge Capture takes all of the data from the Alaris System and displays it in a patient-specific report, making it easier for billers and coders to make an accurate claim for reimbursement.
• Finally, through Pyxis ES Link, a nurse can submit an IV refill request that will be displayed in the Med View Dashboard and enable pharmacists to proactively plan for IV replenishment needs, reducing the risk of interrupted therapy and waste. The refill order is sent to the BD Cato Medication Workflow Solutions and the process begins again.

The concept is interesting, but before passing ultimate judgment I need to see the entire process at a live site. I will contact BD next week to see if I can get more information and find a customer using the entire system.

I’ll update you if/when I find out more.