How does barcode technology promote patient safety? 

Healthcare providers are constantly challenged to ensure that each patient receives the correct treatments and medications. QR and 2D Barcode scanning is now used routinely to confirm that practitioners are administering treatments to the correct patient. It is also used in other applications to make healthcare more accurate and prevent dangerous medical errors. In this blog, we will go more in depth with this technology and how it is used to promote patient safety. 

Patient identification

Nurses and other healthcare providers are required to use two identifiers to ensure that they are administering treatment to the correct patient. However, this can become challenging when patients are sedated or unable to state their name and date of birth. Errors can easily occur when multiple patients with the same name or birth date are in the same unit. Patient misidentification can lead to inappropriate treatments, increased healthcare costs, and legal liability. Wristbands with QR or 2D are created at the point of admission to identify patients through their entire stay in the hospital. Specific patient information can even be updated as needed. Barcode scanning is now performed before any blood is drawn for testing or any treatments are administered.

Preventing medication errors

Barcode technology has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of medication errors in healthcare facilities. In the pharmacy, medication labels are scanned to ensure that they match the orders from the physician. The medications are then tracked and logged as they are delivered to the various units in the hospital. At the bedside, the nurse scans both the patient’s wristband and the medication label. An alert is displayed if a discrepancy is found with the drug, dose, route, patient or time of administration. Barcode scanning also allows facilities to monitor medication expiration dates and keep accurate counts of controlled substances. Even simulated medications, like SimRx Simulated Medication, for healthcare training programs now include bar codes.

Improving safety of blood transfusions

Another area where barcode scanning has become essential is the hospital blood bank. Blood transfusion is a complex process that requires confirmation at every step to prevent life-threatening errors. Blood products have always been checked by two nurses to ensure that they are correct, but barcode scanning has recently been added to the verification process. 

Since then, barcode scanning has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of transfusion errors. For this reason, the FDA now requires blood banks to use barcode information for all blood bags as well as patient wristbands. This includes all types of blood products, including plasma and platelets as well as packed red blood cells. Even Simlab Solutions simulated blood products for healthcare training programs now include bar codes.

Training with barcode scanners

Students need to learn how to use barcode technology during their training programs because they will use it regularly in clinical practice. The SimServeRx Automated Dispensing System was designed to give students the opportunity to scan medications and patient wristbands as part of medication administration. The SimServeRx drug library includes simulated medications from SimRx, DemoDose and Practi-Meds that are automatically recognized by the integrated barcode scanner. A Zebra label printer is even available to create 2D barcode patient wristbands as well. Barcode scanning capability is just one more reason why SimServeRx is the ideal tool for teaching safe medication management.  

Final Thoughts

Barcode scanning is an essential component of patient safety in healthcare facilities today. It is used routinely to make patient care more accurate and prevent dangerous medical errors. Nurses can now confirm the patient’s identity without question even if the patients are unconscious or unable to state their names. Scanning medications and blood transfusions help protect patients from life-threatening medical errors. The SimServeRx Automated Dispensing System was designed specifically to help nursing and pharmacy students learn how to use this technology as part of their training. The DiaMedical USA team is ready to help programs balance cost and functionality in order to find the SimServeRx SmartCart or SimServeRx Cabinet to meet the learning needs of their students. SimRx, Practi-meds and DemoDose simulated medications are also available to provide complete training solutions for instructors. For more information, reach out to a DiaMedical USA expert at 877-593-6011 or info@diamedicalusa.com.