This month we spoke to Racha Dabliz. Racha is currently working as a Mental Health Pharmacist. Her research focuses on the evaluation of an Electronic Medication Management system implemented in the Intensive Care Unit in a NSW tertiary hospital. Racha won the Health Informatics Researcher Scholarship award at the Sydney Innovation and Research Symposium 2018.
Please tell us a little about yourself
I have a Bachelor of Pharmacy and a Graduate Certificate in Pharmacy Practice from the University of Sydney. I have been practicing as a hospital Pharmacist for 3.5years and am currently working as a Mental Health Pharmacist. During this time, I have been in several projects that evaluate the quality use of medicines. Most recently, I was involved in a project that involved the development of a Local Health District framework that outlined a strategic approach to optimise an Electronic Medication Management System (eMMS) for reports that address and support the quality use of medicines. This sparked my interest in the optimisation of eMMS in the hospital environment. I am passionate about the optimisation of Electronic Medication Management Systems to ensure safe practices and the quality use of medicines.
What is your research on?
My research focuses on the evaluation of an Electronic Medication Management system implemented in the Intensive Care Unit in a NSW tertiary hospital. Electronic medication management systems (eMMS) are heralded as highly effective interventions to reduce medication errors and improve acceptability and usability, yet internationally evidence for their effectiveness is mixed. Critical care is a data-rich environment where it appears obvious that computing technology would be of benefit in managing the large amount of data generated by each patient , however few studies have formally evaluated the effects of introducing an information system into the ICU. The aim of my current research is to determine whether the implementation of an eMMS is safe, efficient, usable and sustainable.
What are the real world consequences of your research?
NSW, Australia are rolling out Electronic Medication Management system across the state. This study will investigate whether the implementation of an eMM in the Intensive Care Unit will improve medication safety, and is usable and sustainable. The usability of eMMs is one of the key factors determining their benefits and weaknesses, however, no tailored instrument exists to measure the usability of such systems This study will assess the use of a multi-method evaluation methodology that can be used to evaluate eMMs.
What does digital health mean to you?
Digital Health means maximising the availability of rich patient data and interconnecting the heath system to optimise patient care. It aids the multi-disciplinaries that are involved in patient care within the hospital environment and beyond. Digitisation supports access and the continuity of care for healthcare professionals and patients across the healthcare spectrum. The innovation process for digital health is an iterative cycle of digital solutions in clinical practice requiring continuous evaluation and optimisation.
A very big thank you to Racha for being our February feature!
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