Strategies Through Clinical Simulation to Support Nursing Students and Their Learning of Barcode Medication Administration (BCMA) and Electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR) Technologies

The education of nursing students to use barcode medication administration (BCMA) and electronic medication administration record (eMAR) technologies has become an important subject for nursing educators. With the increased use of these forms of clinical technology within practice settings, generating best practices and directions for educators to embed and evaluate these forms of technology in educational settings is needed. This chapter will explore a range of topics related to BCMA/eMAR technology within nursing education, including: (1) the importance of the topic to nursing education; (2) implementation of a BCMA/eMAR platform for simulation; (3) best practices related to BCMA/eMAR education; and (4) observational, workflow analysis methods as a quality assurance tool to assist with BCMA/eMAR development and evaluation. With the use of BCMA/eMAR likely to increase in the coming years, nursing educators need to ensure students are educated with the skills, competencies, and knowledge to use these forms of medication administration technology safely and effectively.