IV pumps and EMR communicate at Mackenzie Health

VAUGHAN and RICHMOND HILL, Ont. – Mackenzie Health recently became the first health system in Canada to launch a technology that allows for two-way information flow between an intravenous (IV) medication pump and a patient’s electronic medical record.

The technology, known as BD Alaris EMR Interoperability, replaces the need for healthcare professionals to manually program pumps while sending infusion safety information back to Epic EMR, significantly reducing the risk of administration errors and providing an accurate infusion record in the EMR.

By scanning a patient’s wristband, medication barcode and infusion pump, healthcare professionals can connect a patient’s electronic medication order to their IV pump and verify that it will deliver the right medication and dosage to the right patient at the right time.

This type of connectivity empowers clinicians to focus more on patient care and less on time-consuming manual processes that often require multiple steps to program an infusion. One case study shows that interoperability can result in an 86% reduction in the average number of keystrokes needed to program an infusion.

“Mackenzie Health is committed to continually improving the way we deliver safe, quality care to our patients,” said Mary-Agnes Wilson (pictured), executive vice president, chief operating officer and chief nursing executive at Mackenzie Health. “We are on a journey to zero harm, embracing the philosophy that even one error is one too many. This new, connected IV pump technology helps enable the safe administration of medication and ultimately better outcomes for those who trust us with their care.”

“We’re pleased to partner with Mackenzie Health in spearheading the first implementation of the BD Alaris EMR Interoperability system in Canada,” said Blair Laufman, vice oresident of Medication Management Solutions at BD-Canada. “The bidirectional interoperability capabilities will not only reduce inefficiencies in infusion therapy but will also improve patient safety.”

The technology ensures medications are managed correctly, simplifies workflows, and automatically sends vital information like infusion status data to a patient’s electronic medical record. Leveraging smart, innovative technological systems and medical devices that can speak to each other means staff and physicians have more time to spend taking care of patients.

“Integrating medication infusion pumps with Epic improves communication and real-time data exchange, enhancing safety, accuracy, and personalized care while helping nurses document efficiently,” said Mike Pontillo, implementation director at Epic. “As the first organization in Canada to do this type of integration, Mackenzie Health is leading the way for other organizations to follow in their footsteps.”

About Mackenzie Health
Mackenzie Health, a regional healthcare provider, includes Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital and Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital, each with a full-service emergency department, core services such as surgery, medicine, critical care and medical imaging along with specialized programs. Its community-based locations and services continue to provide additional support to western York Region. In December 2023, the organization maintained its Accreditation with Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada for its commitment to safety and quality patient care. This is the highest rating a Canadian healthcare provider can receive. Guided by a vision to create a world-class health experience, Mackenzie Health has an unrelenting focus on the patient and is dedicated to patient needs now and in the future. Mackenzie Health is proud to serve western York Region, one of the fastest growing and most diverse communities in Canada with more than 550,000 residents. For more information, please visit www.mackenziehealth.ca.

About BD
BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. The company develops innovative technology, services and solutions that help advance both clinical therapy for patients and clinical process for healthcare providers.