Electronic wristband solution prevents 'Never Events'

Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust is introducing electronic wristbands in response to tough new government rules on patient identification.

The organisation has commissioned MSoft eSolutions to increase Positive Patient Identification (PPI) procedures in response to the Department of Health’s updated Never Events list which sets out issues that effect patient safety that hospital trusts must take measures to prevent.

MSoft’s wristband printing solution, which uses Zebra HC100 printers, integrates with the trust’s existing Patient Administration System to generate the information required. The benefit to the trust is that the printing of wristbands can be achieved through a web-based ward interface rather than via the more complex PAS.

The Government’s recently updated list of Never Events makes it clearer than ever that the misidentification of patients is totally unacceptable

The implementation of the system means MSoft is now providing the trust with the complete blood-tracking solution, having earlier this year won the tender to implement its Bloodhound software.

The technology controls access to and from all blood fridges, while the bedside management system enables each bar-coded blood unit to be matched with the patient’s barcoded wristband in a matter of seconds.

The systems provide further enhanced security and safety by ensuring only approved staff are allowed to access blood. The blood tracking solution provides positive identification of users and patients and indepth auditing of all bloods across each and every stage of the transfusion process, helping get the right blood into the right patient.

Matt McAlister, managing director of MSoft eSolutions, said: “We are delighted to have won this second tender with Brighton and Sussex because it now means we are providing the trust with a 360degree solution, from issuing a patient with their wristband on arrival through to the transfusion of blood into the patient.

“Along the way our Bloodhound solution is involved in a number of other vital steps including the taking of blood samples, sending to the lab for analysis, cross-matching blood samples with the patient, and ensuring positive patient identification on ward.

“The Government’s recently updated list of Never Events makes it clearer than ever that the misidentification of patients is totally unacceptable.