ABSTRACT
In many hospitals various kinds of information technologies arc implemented to improve patient safety. In this article we focus on usage of bar code medication administration (BCMA) as one application of information teclmologies. The study was conducted 2009 in two US-American hospitals; one was planning to implement BCMA and one was already using BCMA for 10 years. The study aimed to identify pattcms of communication, coordination and cooperation between nurses and pharmacists, to compare work processes of medication administration and to identify weak points. As a result of the study it was observed that BMCA software reduced flexibility end error potential of medication administration and by this supported patient safety. But less flexibility constrained spontaneous treatment and increased administrative interactions with the system. Since the data analysis has not been finished yet, only parts are introduced and more results are expected in future.
