3 Reasons Why Bar Code Scanning is a Critical Part of Patient Care

You will likely agree that a hospital or healthcare setting is a complex operation, and having the right tools in place to manage every aspect of the operation is not only necessary, but critical. In order to effectively manage resources, quickly locate equipment and supplies, and provide outstanding customer care, you need the right set of tools in place to optimize operations.

Caregivers are the lifeline to patients, and in a healthcare environment, an error could mean the difference between life and death. The 5 Rights of Patient Safety initiative (to ensure that the right patient is getting the right drug in the right dosage at the right time, with the right method of administration), has been a key driver of improving technology as it relates to patient identification. The addition of a bar code identifier on the patient wristband, issued during the admissions process, offers an effective way to verify patient identity when scanned prior to dispensing medication. This method aims at the prevention of dosage and administration errors; alleviating the burden of a busy staff member having to recall or try to decipher staff or doctor handwritten notes. Bar code data collection automation can streamline everyday processes in patient rooms, laboratories and even the pharmacy, and each patient bar code is carried over to their folder, files & charts, and specimen collection to validate patient identity throughout the process.

Automating the Process

Zebra offers a number of devices specifically designed for healthcare environments to aid in delivering accuracy and promoting patient safety. For example, the DS6878-HC cordless handheld bar code scanner is not only used for patient care, but begins at the admissions process when the patient wristband is being printed, and greatly reduces the amount of manual data entry involved in keeping track of the patient’s path through their visit. Aside from the ergonomic design, and omni-directional scanning ability, this device rapidly captures bar codes and images, giving healthcare providers quality time to focus on patient care as opposed to being tied up in time-consuming data entry and attempting to read or write hand-written notes.

• Prevent Medical Errors
• Improve Patient Safety
• Increase Caregiver Productivity

Designed for Healthcare Environments

The DS6878-HC was designed with healthcare environments in mind. It’s small and flexible enough to reside on a workstation on wheels (WOW) or even an in-room computer workstation. It can be installed on carts or workstations in such a way that maximizes workspace while still easily accessible and continually charged.

With constant usage of disinfectants in this environment, the DS6878-HC offers IP43 sealing and special plastic housing that prevents damage from extensive use of harsh chemicals that prevent the spread of germs. Healthcare workers can also choose the decode feedback option based on time of day or situation so patient disruption is kept to a minimum. They may choose visual (green light or red light) feedback, a vibration feature, or an audible tone to indicate a successful scan.

Built for all-day, everyday use Zebra’s DS6878-HC offers the flexibility of fast, accurate data capture for peace of mind in healthcare applications.

Looking for more reasons to bring bar code automation to your healthcare organization? Check out this Zebra healthcare video below.