In 2000, current Siemens customer McLeod Regional Medical Center (McLeod) in South Carolina, began a hospital-wide program to improve quality by establishing physician-led, data-driven and evidence-based initiatives to increase positive outcomes such as patient safety and the elimination of adverse drug events.

Through IT integration, McLeod became the first U.S. healthcare facility to implement full closed-loop medication processing using a Siemens portfolio that includes Med Administration Check™ (MAC), Pharmacy and INVISION® CPOE. McLeod also drove a cultural change to increase acceptance of the IT solutions by tapping into the needs and thoughts of key players within the organization.

By creating a culture built on a foundation of clinical and executive leadership, process change and IT solutions, McLeod dramatically improved patient safety, reduced errors and saved lives. In 2001, McLeod’s rate of harmful medication events was 3.5 in 1,000. Today, it is 0.36, a record low achieved with the help of essential IT solutions such as CPOE and bar coding.