RFID technology can improve the safety of medication storage—and compliance with Joint Commission standards.
Nearly 40% of ambulatory care providers surveyed in the first half of 2016 failed compliance inspections for safe storage of medications, according to a report by the Joint Commission.1 Improper drug storage ranked third in the top five most challenging requirements affecting ambulatory care.
The report covered only health care organizations scheduled to be surveyed from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2016. The data included facilities receiving citations for noncompliance. Surveys were conducted across 11 health care categories, including critical access hospitals and home care.
Ever since the Joint Commission included medication management standards in 2004, more than one-third of all hospitals consistently struggle with proper and secure medication storage. Noncompliance often occurs because of improper monitoring of refrigerator temperatures.2
Source: How RFID Technology Can Help Drug Safety – Pharmacy Practice News