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16/02/2007
NHS to save millions and improve patient safety
Patient safety could be improved if hospitals tagged people with barcodes, Minister for Quality, Lord Hunt, announced today.
By wearing a bar-coded wristband, a bar code reader can be used to verify the patient’s identity at any time. At present errors cost the NHS around £2 billion per year because people are forced to stay in hospital longer. The government believe the new scheme of auto-identification could make a significant impact on these costs.
In his report he said: “Patient safety is my top priority and this document sets out a clear case for the use of AIDC technology by industry and the NHS in order to save lives, reduce mistakes and improve efficiency.
“The work of Birmingham Heartlands is a fine example of how technology can reduce patient mistakes and waiting times for operations and free up staff to spend more time on the wards with patients.”
The scheme has already been introduced at Heartlands, and the use of radiofrequency identification tags in a day surgery unit has improved efficiency so that an extra minor or intermediate procedure can be done on each list - which could save the Trust £270,000 per year.
In his report, Coding for Success, Lord Hunt has recommended that both industry and the NHS should use the GS1 system for coding, and he also revealed that GS1UK will be providing membership and support to NHS organisations who wish to be involved.
David Morgan, Consultant Surgeon at Heart of England NHS Trust, and pioneer of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), said: “We have been using an RFID wristband tagging system to identify patients in the Day Case Surgery Unit at Heart of England NHS Trust for the last two years. Since using the system the staff have been able to spend more time with the patients due to less paperwork and patient safety has greatly increased.”
He also praised the scheme as a success, claiming theatres can run more efficiently and the accuracy of coding has increased to almost 100 per cent.
(JM)
By wearing a bar-coded wristband, a bar code reader can be used to verify the patient’s identity at any time. At present errors cost the NHS around £2 billion per year because people are forced to stay in hospital longer. The government believe the new scheme of auto-identification could make a significant impact on these costs.
In his report he said: “Patient safety is my top priority and this document sets out a clear case for the use of AIDC technology by industry and the NHS in order to save lives, reduce mistakes and improve efficiency.
“The work of Birmingham Heartlands is a fine example of how technology can reduce patient mistakes and waiting times for operations and free up staff to spend more time on the wards with patients.”
The scheme has already been introduced at Heartlands, and the use of radiofrequency identification tags in a day surgery unit has improved efficiency so that an extra minor or intermediate procedure can be done on each list - which could save the Trust £270,000 per year.
In his report, Coding for Success, Lord Hunt has recommended that both industry and the NHS should use the GS1 system for coding, and he also revealed that GS1UK will be providing membership and support to NHS organisations who wish to be involved.
David Morgan, Consultant Surgeon at Heart of England NHS Trust, and pioneer of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), said: “We have been using an RFID wristband tagging system to identify patients in the Day Case Surgery Unit at Heart of England NHS Trust for the last two years. Since using the system the staff have been able to spend more time with the patients due to less paperwork and patient safety has greatly increased.”
He also praised the scheme as a success, claiming theatres can run more efficiently and the accuracy of coding has increased to almost 100 per cent.
(JM)
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26 March 2007
'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
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24 March 2011
Patients Getting Improved NHS Care
A round-up of NHS quality and financial performance between October and December 2010 has been published by the Department of Health today.
Patients Getting Improved NHS Care
A round-up of NHS quality and financial performance between October and December 2010 has been published by the Department of Health today.
23 September 2004
NHS recruitment drive to focus on over 50s
A new nationwide drive to recruit NHS staff, which will focus for the first time on the over 50s, has been was launched today. NHS Job Shop Day comprises of 220 events taking place around the country on or around 23 September. Around 150 Jobcentres across England will also be holding special NHS events on 23 September as part of NHS Job Shop Day.
NHS recruitment drive to focus on over 50s
A new nationwide drive to recruit NHS staff, which will focus for the first time on the over 50s, has been was launched today. NHS Job Shop Day comprises of 220 events taking place around the country on or around 23 September. Around 150 Jobcentres across England will also be holding special NHS events on 23 September as part of NHS Job Shop Day.
04 January 2005
Five further health trusts make foundation grade
Following approval by the independent regulatory body, five Trusts have been granted Foundation Trust status.
Five further health trusts make foundation grade
Following approval by the independent regulatory body, five Trusts have been granted Foundation Trust status.
03 June 2011
Healthcare Staff Get Innovative
Frontline NHS staff and other healthcare professionals who come up with innovative ideas to give better patient care are getting their schemes funded thanks to the Department of Health’s Innovation Challenge Prizes. The first winners have been announced today.
Healthcare Staff Get Innovative
Frontline NHS staff and other healthcare professionals who come up with innovative ideas to give better patient care are getting their schemes funded thanks to the Department of Health’s Innovation Challenge Prizes. The first winners have been announced today.
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