Category: Healthcare Industry

Barcode labels and systems for healthcare – inventory tracking solutions for healthcare. Dane Titsworth @ Idezi Nashville, TN

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Barcodes for Business Healthcare Industry Science

How Do Barcodes Improve Medical Safety?

Barcode scanners, barcode labels, barcode scanning systems

In 2010, 4,000 women experienced ruptures of faulty breast implants, according to BBC News. And among the 400,000 women who’d received the same implants worldwide, few were able to find out if theirs were one of the bad ones. Tragic and scary, but the damage could have been lessened–and helped these women achieve some peace of mind–if these implants had been printed with a humble barcode.

Medical Barcode Technology Can Save Lives 

Barcodes on implantable items like breast implants or pacemakers might seem like the stuff of dystopian science fiction, but its real-world use has more utopian application. Between seven and 15 percent of deaths in hospitals can be attributed to medication dispensing errors, i.e., a doctor or nurse misprescribing a drug that patient shouldn’t be taking. With barcode technology used throughout the hospital system, these medications can be scanned, checked, and verified, lessening the potential for dangerous administrations or contraindications.

Tracking Your Warehouse-to-Patient Supply Chain

Instituting barcode technology can help hospitals track medicines, implants, and patients all the way through the supply chain and beyond, collecting valuable data on the medicines themselves, implant wear and tear, and more. It can even be set up to tell nurses and doctors when their patients, who are wearing scanned barcode wristbands, are overdue for their next shot or treatment. The system can even be set up to tell nurses and doctors when their patient (with a scanned barcode wristband) is overdue for a dosage (from their scanned barcode medicine). Barcodes are truly improving healthcare.

Barcode Technology Helps Hospitals Cut Costs

All of this saving lives and streamlining the system saves money, too. One study found that using a barcode system saved a hospital pharmacy $2.2 million per year by significantly reducing medication dispensing errors, with a net benefit after five years of $5.5 million. Naturally, instituting a thorough barcode system is expensive, but here, too, the study found that hospitals reached a break-even point with the tech as early as one year to no later than 10 years after instituting the technology.

The average? 51 months. In other words, it’s money well-spent.

You Need Good Barcode Technology and Training, Though

Unfortunately, it’s not enough to get any old barcode tech. You need solid equipment and the requisite training and hospital culture to make sure it’s being implemented effectively. As many as one in two nurses had performed their previous shift without scanning either patient barcode or medication barcode in their previous shift, one 2012 study found. That’s a good reminder that while technological solutions are marvelous, they’re only as good as the people using them.

But Good Machines Still Matter

That’s not to put the blame solely on doctors and nurses, though. Guess the number one and two reasons for noncompliance?

Bad labels and faulty scanners.

Change is hard and it’s harder to build trust when you’re using unreliable equipment. There’s a solution, though, and it’s simple: Use the best technology you can get and get it serviced regularly. Here, we’ve got you covered. Check out our scanners and scanner repair services here.

Learn more about the solutions we offer for healthcare facilities, hospitals, and sterile environments.

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Healthcare Industry News Science

Improve Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals with 2D Barcode Scanners

Healthcare, 2D barcode scanners, improve healthcare and pharmaceuticals with 2D barcode scanners

You might normally associate barcode technology with checking out at your local grocery store or preferred retailer, but 2D barcode scanners are seriously changing the healthcare industry.

Barcode technology is saving lives in the medical field. It plays a crucial role in the proper delivery of medicine. It’s been so efficient, in fact, that the FDA issued recent rules that actually require machine readable labels on any medication. Because the barcodes are small, they are easy to put on even the smallest of vials. They offer all the information needed by a nurse or doctor with just one swipe of the barcode under code-reading scanners. With medical errors being the third most cause of deaths, it’s time for a change. As technology improves, so do our chances of survival and access to fantastic health care. Here’s how the scanners and barcodes are changing medicine:

2D Barcode Scanners Prevent Errors

Barcode scanner technology is helping to eliminate errors in identifying patients and administering the proper medicines. With so many life-threatening mistakes that can be made during patient care, it is essential to get every step correct. There are too many deaths that occur on a yearly basis because of medical errors in hospitals. These mistakes can be avoided with a barcode system. Patients receive barcoded bracelets upon checking into the hospital, and anything administered to that patient must match up with the exact same barcode. When all vendors have a barcode for their medication, this should leave little room for error. Hospitals can protect their patients by incorporating barcodes into every aspect of their patient care.

Reduced Fossil Footprint

2D barcode scanners are able to help hospitals save resources. When a hospital saves on resources, they will also save money. What’s better than improving both the patient care and the financial circumstances of a healthcare institution? What’s more? Hospitals will pay off the implementation of the barcode system in just one year. Hospitals will save about $2 million dollars annually with the system. By cutting documentation materials in half, you’ll not only save trees, you’ll save coins.

Multi-Device Functionality

Implementing the 2D barcode scanners is not a complicated process for any medical facility. Idezi’s customer support for these systems is unparalleled and always available to help. The barcode scanners can also be used with mobile computer device89. This makes it easy to access information with the touch of a button from anywhere in a hospital. The sophisticated system can give both patients and healthcare teams great peace of mind, as stress is reduced, due to accurate and reliable information.

Go Big and Go Barcode

Barcode scanning systems can save lives, money, and are the most reliable system on the market. Eliminating hospital errors will improve patient survival rates. Safe and effective patient care is the key to any successful medical facility. This unique barcode scanning system works in collaboration with medical teams all around the globe. Experience maximum positive patient outcomes with a reliable, accurate system. For continued education on barcode scanning equipment and implementing the best system into your hospital, contact us today!

Learn more about the solutions we offer specifically for Pharmaceuticals, from labels to inserts.

 

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Healthcare Industry

3 Ways Barcode Labels Are Improving Healthcare

Barcode labels, barcode printers, Dane Titsworth

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The medical field is brimming with cutting edge technology. From nanobots to virtual reality surgery, the future truly does seem to be now. There’s another new innovation that’s making leaps and bounds in the healthcare industry. It’s a simple low-tech solution, one you might not be expecting: barcodes. Barcode labels are revolutionizing the way hospitals, pharmacies, and doctors are treating and IDing patients. Their simple implementation and ease of use make them ideal for many kinds of healthcare providers. Let’s explore what barcodes can do.

Simplify Patient and Medication Identification

Gone are the days of tracking patients and their medications with handwritten charts. Go digital and save time and paperwork. Practitioners can scan their patient’s ID bracelet in seconds. They can see what medications were administered, and the doses that were given. You’ll also get electronic alerts if a patient is overdue for a dosage of medication; this could save a life. Additionally, nurses will find that they have a better understanding of their patient’s needs. This automation will let healthcare professionals refocus on patient care and comfort. 1.5 million Americans receive the wrong medication every year in the United States. Barcodes make medication mix-ups like these a problem of the past. Barcode labels can also reduce the risk of accidental misdiagnosis. This creates a higher level of patient safety.

Seamless Tracking

ID bands can contain unique barcodes to help identify each individual patient. Access these unique identifiers electronically. Then, link them to the medical history of the patient. Code collected data such as vital signs and check-ups will be easy to track, too. Barcode labels also make switching rooms or checking in and out of hospital wards a breeze. Guide patients back to their rooms with a quick scan of their ID bracelet. They also ensure that a patient will never receive the wrong diagnosis or treatment. They offer the added benefit of providing an extra layer of hospital security.

Barcode Labels Make Inventory Management Easy

The National Drug Code (NDC) is a 10 digit identification number. It is used for all prescription and non-prescription medications in the United States. This code makes identifying the labeler, product, and quantity simple. You can make sure you’re always doling out the correct dosages. Scanning an NDC for Wellbutrin, for example, would let you know what this vial contains: 100, 10 mg doses of the medication. You can even find out that the nearby pharmacy labeled and packaged it. This detailed level of tracking makes restocking inventory happen automatically. These labels avoid the trouble of over or under ordering. This ensures that patients always receive the care they need without having to wait.

Let’s Get Started

Thinking of implementing barcode labels into your medical practice? Give us a call at 615-377-8849. You’ll always speak to a real person, we promise. We pride ourselves on understanding your unique needs. We built our company on the principles of honesty, integrity, and mutual respect. You can rest assured that we’ll treat your concerns as a priority. Together, we can create a plan to help everything run smoothly for you. Transition to using barcodes without any interruption to your facility. Let us know how we can best help you.

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Food Service Healthcare Industry

Barcodes Solving Food Safety Challenges

barcode systems, barcode system for food safety, Dane Titsworth
Supervisor scanning package barcode at the warehouse.

Have you ever strolled the produce section at your local grocery store and wondered where the food came from? Now, you might be able to. Consumers today are demanding more transparency when it comes to their food — and producers are responding. Many are turning to barcode software that allows items to be labeled and tracked across the food supply chain. This boosts traceability efforts and allows buyers a more comprehensive overview of where their items come from. This barcode software also helps Food and Beverage (F&B) manufacturers meet stringent food safety regulations. When food items are tracked at every touchpoint from the farm to the table, discrepancies are easily found. Also, issues are more quickly resolved, and teams can effectively work together. Today, we’re taking a look at some of the top ways barcode software can help F&B teams solve food safety challenges head-on. Ready to get started? Let’s dig in!

  1. Complete Labels, Fewer Recalls

Did you know that in 2016 alone, there was more than 760 food recalls, a 22% jump from the year before? One of the top factors: undeclared allergens. According to a recent report, 42% of recalls issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a result of misbranding. Labels were missing or incomplete. Ingredients lists weren’t revealed in full. Allergens weren’t identified. Identification software helps ensure that all items are properly and thoroughly labeled from the onset. This helps avoid any potential repercussions down the line. In the event that a recall does occur, this barcode software makes it easier than ever to pinpoint exactly which batches were affected.

  1. A Stronger Focus on Prevention 

In January 2011, President Obama signed into effect the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This was the most comprehensive reform of food safety in 70 years. The FSMA’s main initiative is to identify and rectify food safety issues before they even begin. This switch to preventative controls versus strictly responsive ones is exactly why this type of software was created. Food items are affixed with labels as soon as they enter the F&B supply chain. Then, teams across departments can identify where they’re going, how they’re getting there, and when they should arrive. This real-time tracking mechanism means that issues can be addressed immediately. They can even be avoided before they occur. This is a huge step in the right direction for food safety initiatives.

  1. Safety at the Organizational Level

F&B manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers are seeking to make internal changes in compliance with FSMA regulations. One major action item they’re putting into place is establishing in-house controls for food safety. The FSMA requires food facilities to create and maintain a written preventative controls plan. This plan requires them to, in part:

  • Evaluate potential hazards
  • Delineate specific preventative controls
  • Specify how each control will be monitored and recorded for accuracy

As such, many are turning to barcode software to keep track of every movement their inventory takes. This allows for efficient and clean recordkeeping and monitoring, two of the FSMA’s top safety plan requirements.

Barcode Software and More: Tracking Solutions You Can Trust

If you’re an F&B leader looking to invest in barcode software to take your food safety operations to the next level, we’d love to help. As a leader in inventory tracking and asset management solutions, we’re skilled in all areas of barcoding. From specialty barcode labels to thermal printers, we’re a one-stop-shop for your identification and barcode labeling needs. If you’re interested in learning more, feel free to check out our product line, browse our blog, or contact us today and let’s connect!