The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) have issued a detailed position statement on barcoding technology on unit dose packaging in hospitals. The statement can be read in full here, but the conclusion reads: “The introduction of unit dose packaging unambiguous
identification and barcoding scanning technology in the hospital medication management process represents a significant safety and quality improvement initiative that will reduce medication-related errors in hospitals through incorrect administration;errors that are potentially fatal.”
It is clear that barcoding technology is an important way to increase medication safety in hospitals.