Passion for Safety Underpins Healthcare System's Infusion Pump Upgrade.

Seven years ago, Western Maryland Health System merged its two hospitals into a 275-bed community hospital and trauma center that also included a heart institute and cancer center. This new, state-of-the-art facility—the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center in Cumberland, MD—also presented a patient safety opportunity. Although the healthcare system prides itself on its culture of safety, its infusion pumps at the time of the hospital construction had limited safeguards for prevention of errors as compared with current technology. As part of the construction of the new medical center, the healthcare system embarked on a journey of discovery that led to a new fleet of smart infusion pumps. Clinicians and pharmacists now have developed an effective practice around infusion pumps, such as using data to support education. Infusion safety continues to be a key component of improving practice.