SAN DIEGO -- Attendees of this year's Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference in San Diego will learn about the newest product release from Optio Healthcare. Optio Advanced Labeling(TM), a solution that allows healthcare facilities to generate thermal, bar-code and RFID labels and print them on-demand from Windows desktop computers and mobile devices, will be showcased this year at HIMSS at Optio Healthcare booth 4017.
"RFID and advanced labeling solutions are becoming critical tools to help hospitals and other providers ensure positive patient identification and automate time-consuming, error-prone manual processes from admissions and the point of care through billing/materials management and discharge," said Karl Grotheer, manager of financial and administrative systems at Memorial Health in Savannah, Ga. "The more we're able to cold-feed data directly into our systems using bar-coding and RFID technologies, the faster we can deliver accurate information to our clinicians and administrative personnel."
Advanced labeling solutions such as bar code and RFID tags offer far-reaching benefits to both the clinical and business process sides of healthcare. Optio Advanced Labeling enables hospital staff to create bar-coded patient identification and RFID labels on demand, whether in the admissions department or at the patient's bedside. These smart labels can be used to track pharmaceuticals between pharmacy and patient, accurately identify lab specimens and biopsy samples, protect infants and Alzheimer's patients by tracking their location, and manage controlled substances, pathogens and other materials that pose a public health risk. The technology is also helping facilities comply with the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act's (HIPAA) privacy and security rules as well as Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) medication management regulations.
"Advanced Labeling is part of Optio's cost-effective suite of health information management (HIM) solutions that enables healthcare facilities to improve hospital processes and patient encounters through efficiency," said Steve Kaye, Optio senior vice president of marketing and product management. "Bar-coding wristbands at the point of admission or using RFID tag readers to track patients can dramatically reduce the amount of time care providers spend on administrative procedures. This time can then be redirected toward the patient. Advanced Labeling allows our healthcare customers to support a gradual, cost-effective transition to advanced bar-coding and RFID technologies."
Research & Markets expects the RFID industry to grow from a $1.95 billion market in 2005 to $26.9 billion in 2015, according to a June 2005 report. But while other industries such as manufacturing begin to incorporate RFID and bar-code labeling in business processes, healthcare lags behind.
"With bar-code technology becoming increasingly affordable, it's surprising that only 3% of small hospitals are currently bar coding medication," said Elaine King, RHIA, Optio healthcare product manager. "Mismedicating patients is one of the leading causes of accidental death in a hospital setting. Bar codes and RFID technology could significantly reduce this risk."
In addition to Advanced Labeling, HIMSS attendees can also view demonstrations of MedEx(TM) and MedForms(TM), Optio's forms automation solutions, as well as QuickRecord(R), a subscription-based electronic health record system, and Optio Patient Signature Capture(TM), an e-signature solution that integrates with any EHR system.
Also at HIMSS, Optio Healthcare will be sponsoring an ice cream social for conference attendees. "Get the Scoop on EHR" will feature make-your-own-sundaes, product demos and free gifts while supplies last. The event will be held at Optio booth #4017 on Feb. 13, from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. PST. To register, visit http://optio.com/marketing/HIMSS.
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