RMS Omega Partners with Honeywell to Provide Technology

Solutions for Patient Identification

RMS Omega understands that patient identification is the cornerstone of patient safety in any
hospital service. In 2013, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
(JCAHO) still listed accurate patient identification as its number one goal for ensuring the safety
of patients in any healthcare facility. JCAHO also recognized that wristband barcode verification
is an acceptable, reliable technology for meeting that goal.
The professional team at RMS Omega designs
and installs identification systems in which
healthcare staff can have absolute confidence.
They work with trusted partners such as
Honeywell to draw together the best hardware,
software, supplies and support services. The
result is a dependable system that allows each
patient to be identified accurately from
admission through testing and diagnosis to
treatment. The most common end-to-end
solution used in hospitals and other healthcare
facilities is based on the barcoded patient wristband.

Challenges
ID wristbands have evolved from handwritten strips of paper to sophisticated data collection
and storage tools. However, no matter how advanced the technology, each key characteristic of
the ideal system for using wristbands to identify patients still has challenges:
Accuracy
o Unique identifier for each patient embedded in
wristband barcode; e.g. full name, date of birth,
file number
o Reliably accurate so there is no possibility of
mislabelling a specimen or ordering a test
o Real time information so any changes about
testing or treatment are immediately available
Verification
o Immediate verification of the patient at point of care
o Efficient; e.g. not the labor intensive two-person manual ID verification of the
past when administering blood products
Easy access to all patient data
o Reliable barcode easily read by mobile computer or scanner
Integration into testing and treatment systems

o Administering medication
o Taking specimens of urine or blood
o Administering diagnostic and treatment procedures; e.g. X-ray, colonoscopy
o Blood transfusions
o Surgery
Security
o Enhanced security to protect patient privacy
Wristband comfort
o Anti-allergenic
o Flexible
o Waterproof
Wristband capacity to accommodate diverse
populations
o Infants and children
o Obese children and adults
o Special conditions; e.g. limb deformity, limbs in casts

For most hospitals, it is also important that the system is cost effective and flexible. There is
often a need to change the parameters of the data collected or to expand the capacity of the
system.

RMS Omega Solution

In order to meet all the challenges in designing an efficient,
reliable, cost effective patient identification system for a
hospital or other healthcare service, RMS Omega works with
its trusted technology partners. The Intermec
and Xenon products by Honeywell Scanning
& Mobility are particularly effective in
hospital settings.
The three products essential to a reliable,
secure wristband patient ID system are the
wristbands themselves, the printer and the
scanner. RMS Omega believes that Honeywell showcases excellence in all three product
selections:

Wristbands
Although there are many grades and quality of media used as wristbands, most
healthcare managers understand the need for high quality as patient safety could
depend on the choice. The INband series of ID wristbands from Intermec by Honeywell
comply easily with the commitment of hospitals to ensure patient safety, featuring:

o Standard or 2D barcodes with robust Reed-Solomon error detection and

correction function
o Easy scannability
o Durable finish resistant to soap, sanitizers and moisture
o Lightweight
o Flexible
o Secure closure designed to show any tampering
o Size options, including infants, children and bariatric patients
o Color coded options for conditions such as allergies or fall risks

Printer
Whether it is a desktop or mobile model, a thermal printer is the most efficient device
to use to print patient wristbands either singly or in batches. The printing is a single step
process with the information transferred directly onto the wristband without any ribbons or
labels that have to be attached by hand. The result is a crisp barcode that can be scanned and
read easily.
RMS Omega is a service partner for the Intermec PC23d Direct Thermal Printer, the
perfect print solution for patient wristbands, featuring:
o Print speed of 8 inches per second
o One hand loading of media
o 10-language LCD or icon graphic user interface to maximizes uptime
o Remote adjustments to minimize downtime
o Reliable, user friendly
o High quality barcode image

Scanner
Scanning the patients wristband barcode is the key to verifying his or her identity in
order to administer medication, label a specimen accurately, order a test or treatment and
even to discharge with appropriate prescriptions and other supports. It is important that the
scanning function is fast, accurate and up to date, accessing real time patient information.
RMS Omega often recommends Honeywells
popular Xenon 1900h or wireless Xenon 1902h area
imaging scanners designed specifically for healthcare.
Both the corded and cordless models feature:
o Durable construction with optional
disinfectant ready housing
o Laser free solution requiring little training
and reducing risk of eye injuries
o Incorporation into Honeywells Remote
MasterMind software for management of all scanners by IT administrators
The wireless Xenon 1902h also features:

o Robust scanning capacity for both linear and 2-D barcodes

o Long lasting lithium-ion battery powering up to 50,000 scans on a full charge
o Flexible radio power to limit output and minimize interference with other
devices
RMS Omega also offers a Honeywell multi-purpose device for computing, communication and
data collection at point of care in healthcare facilities:
Mobile Computer
The Dolphin 7800hc features:
o Versatile data capture with Adaptus Imaging
Technology 6.0 for omnidirectional linear and 2D barcode scanning
o Rugged but compact and lightweight with
disinfectant ready housing
o Incorporation into Honeywells Remote
MasterMind
There can never be too much attention paid to making sure all data protocol are accurate,
reliable and timely when dealing with information affecting patients in a healthcare service.
RMS Omega is committed to supporting the staff in hospitals and other healthcare facilities in
ensuring the accuracy of patient identification. Any technology system designed by RMS Omega
specialists in consultation with its partners such as Honeywell always gives top priority to
patient safety.

For more information:

Phone: 888.857.8402
Email: info@rmsomega.com
Site: www.rmsomega.com/healthcare
Infographic: http://blog.rmsomega.com/healthcare-barcode-blog/bid/207374/InfographicMobile-Barcoding-Technologies-for-Healthcare