June 2, 2006

New pharmacy information system to launch

The MGH Department of Pharmacy will be replacing the Medical Engineering Inc. (MEI) system — the current inpatient pharmacy computer program — June 3 with a new system called Misys. The new system will be linked to PATCOM and the laboratory systems, eliminating the need for separate data-entry and enabling pharmacists to view patients' laboratory results while reviewing orders. Eventually, Misys will be linked to Provider Order Entry, allowing for automated order acceptance and review, and eliminating the additional computer entry now required to enter medication orders into the pharmacy system.

The Misys pharmacy application will better support pharmacists when verifying and approving medication orders. Features also include automatic dose range, drug interaction and allergy checking. Another benefit of Misys is perpetual inventory evaluation to monitor how much inventory is available in the pharmacy and in the automated dispensing machines on patient care units.

Implementing Misys will integrate and streamline medication management, tracking medications from wholesalers through the hospital's pharmacy and ultimately to administration to patients. Misys will also interact with the electronic medical administration record.

"This computer system is a culmination of all the lessons learned during the past 15 years of medication error research and process enhancements," says Meg Clapp, director of MGH Pharmacy. "More important, these systems will support a medication administration process that will improve patient safety."