Bar-code medication administration system for anesthetics: effects on documentation and billing.

Purpose: The effects of using a new bar-code medication administration (BCMA) system for anesthetics to automate documentation of drug administration by anesthesiologists were studied.

Methods: From October 1, 2004, to September 15, 2005, all medications administered to patients undergoing cardiac surgery were documented with a BCMA system at a large acute care facility. Drug claims data for 12 targeted anesthetics in diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) 104-111 were analyzed to determine the quantity of drugs charged and the revenue generated.