How technology can enhance healthcare systems during crises and beyond

Kevin Dand, country business leader for medication management solutions, BD, analyses the role that infusion devices in enhancing healthcare systems during times of crisis and beyond. 

The global infusion device market is one of the most rapidly developing categories in medical technology, due to the world's ageing population and rising increase in chronic diseases. Infusion pumps have helped to reduce medication errors and therefore improve patient care, by providing more control, accuracy, and precision in drug delivery.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increase in demand for infusion devices, with several hospitals in the United Kingdom reporting shortages in the beginning of the outbreak. The NHS contacted major suppliers to rapidly increase intensive care unit (ICU) equipment needed at Nightingale Hospitals and Trusts across the UK. To fulfil this order, Becton Dickinson (BD) delivered over 16,000 infusion devices, which is typically a couple of years’ worth of supply, in just six weeks. To provide a comprehensive and long-term response to the pandemic, BD has helped supply millions of COVID-19 treatment devices and systems for hospitals, such as infusion devices, infusion sets, and catheters. Over 40,000 ‘smart' infusion pumps were delivered between March and December 2020.

Combatting staffing challenges with technology

Risk of errors can be influenced by human factors, system-based challenges, and technological design. But one of the most significant factors is staff shortages. Staff shortages on the ward or in the ICU are causing significant stress on current capacity, which is being exacerbated by the pandemic. In the ICU, planned resources are not always accessible, employees are often preoccupied with other responsibilities and are unable to dedicate their full attention to infusion tasks. There are often phone calls from the ward requesting equipment or medications, and the pharmacy frequently receives multiple calls from the ward. Staff may be required to physically attend on occasion. This activity can cause a lot of distraction, diverting employees away from patient-focused tasks.

While managing several demands on their time, nurses must ensure that each infusion delivers the appropriate treatment. Nurses are finding it more difficult to keep track of every infusion as more single-patient rooms have been established. There is software being developed that allows staff to check and manage the ward's infusions while on the go, on their computer or tablet, which can help enhance infusion process management and patient safety. It is critical to find solutions that can boost knowledge amongst teams and institutions, as this has the potential to prevent medication errors, alleviate administrative burdens off staff, and improve treatment outcomes for patients.

Harnessing the power of data

Interoperability is key to successful medication management. This means that there is full connectivity and communication between devices, like smart pumps, and other clinical IT systems, such as a patient's electronic prescription or administration document, as well as their electronic health record. Having easy access to patient data is crucial in enabling better decision making in pharmacy and therefore treatment outcomes for patients. For instance, the pharmacy may be out of stock for a particular medicine. The technology can track down supplies in other parts of the hospital. By automatically double-checking scheduled infusion rates before administration, smart-pump technology can identify, track, and eliminate many of the most severe intravenous (IV) medication errors, providing clinicians and their patients with peace of mind.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly important in improving healthcare systems. AI can monitor and analyse patient and clinician behaviour, providing valuable intelligence, allowing hospitals to be more proactive in improving medication management, such as seasonal supply demands. For example, BD’s HealthSight platform combines artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to assist hospitals in managing data, identifying trends, and making smarter decisions.

In addition to providing early disease identification and even the possibility of prevention, AI has the potential to revolutionise medical diagnostics by expediting reading time and automatically prioritising urgent cases.

Introducing closed loop medication management (CLMM)

CLMM solutions will play a crucial role in developing technologies that can further reduce medication errors. CLMM delivers a smarter, fully integrated digital approach to medication at every step of the process, providing greater visibility, efficient and patient safety. Any Healthcare Provider can see the patients progress and where their treatment is along the treatment pathway.

When predictive analytics is paired with strong data management, information can flow seamlessly across systems and venues, ensuring that the patient experience is not hindered. Healthcare staff will not be replaced by automated systems. They will be better equipped with the knowledge, tools, and time to deliver clinical care, therefore increasing patient safety.