Grady is metro's first hospital to implement Alaris smart pump and electronic medical record integration

ATLANTA, March 21, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Grady is proud to be Metro Atlanta's first hospital to successfully integrate the Alaris IV smart pump technology with its Epic electronic medical record (EMR) – taking patient safety to a new level. To date, approximately 25% of U.S. hospitals have achieved smart pump-EMR interoperability.

"The ability to link programmable IV infusion pumps directly to patient medical records significantly decreases the chances of medication administration errors," said Glenn Hilburn, Vice President, Clinical Systems, Grady Health System. "We are able to reduce the number of steps a nurse does from 21 down to three. Fewer steps means fewer chances for mistakes and greatly improved efficiency," Hilburn added.

The smart pump-EMR interoperability rollout on March 1 was the latest step in Grady's technology journey to improving medication administration safety. By linking the smart pump to the patient's medical record, clinicians are able to make sure the right drug is given to the right patient, within the right dose, and at the right time. 

"The system validates the infusion against the physician's order through barcode technology and programs the pump to dispense the medication. In addition, it sends data back to the medical record as the patient receives the infusion, providing important, real-time information for the patient care team," Hilburn said. "This interoperability is recognized throughout healthcare as a best practice."

About Grady Health System

Grady Health System is one of the largest safety net health systems in the United States. Grady consists of the 953-bed Grady Memorial Hospital, six neighborhood health centers, Crestview Health & Rehabilitation Center, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, which is operated as a Children's affiliate.

With its nationally acclaimed emergency medical services, Grady has the premier Level I trauma center in the Metro Atlanta region and serves as the 911 ambulance provider for the city of Atlanta. Grady's American Burn Association/American College of Surgeons verified Burn Center is one of only two in the state. And the Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center is a Joint Commission designated Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center.

Other key services/distinctions include Grady's Regional Perinatal Center with its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Georgia's first Cancer Center for Excellence, The Avon Comprehensive Breast Center, the Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, and the Ponce de Leon Center - one of the top HIV/AIDS outpatient clinics in the country. Grady is one of an elite group of hospitals to earn the Baby-Friendly USA international recognition as a Baby-Friendly Designated birth facility. In 2017, Grady earned the prestigious Stage 7 on the HIMSS Analytics Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model, becoming Georgia's first adult acute care hospital to earn the highest rating for improving patient care and safety through health information technology.

SOURCE Grady Health System