[Use of bar codes of biomedical products in a catheterization laboratory. A required step to improve quality and reduce costs].
The technology of bar coding has been recommended because of the ability to increase efficiency. The relative widths of both the bars and spaces code the data stored in the bar code. The Health Industry Business Communications Council (HIBCC) is a non-profit organization aimed at developing appropriate standards to improve exchange among all health care trading partners. According to these recommendations all health care products should be labeled with a primary symbol identifying the labeler and the product code and a secondary one that is useful to distributors and providers. The efficacy of bar code technology depends on the ease of use and the incorporation of user workflow into the system. Despite problems depending on industry factors as well as the lack of standards, resource factors associated with costs for the implementation of the new technology and human factors for cultural exchange that facilitate adoption, it is outstanding that bar code technology improves patient safety and increases organization productivity reducing manual-consuming steps and allowing for more accurate and complete data collection.
Morocutti
Giorgio
G
Laboratorio di Emodinamica, Dipartimento di Cardioscienze, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Maria della Misericordia, Piazzale S. Maria della Misericordia, 15 33100 Udine. g_morocutti@libero.it
Spedicato
Leonardo
L
Gelsomino
Sandro
S
Toh
Hyacinth Shiety
HS
Bernardi
Guglielmo
G
Fioretti
Paolo
P
D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D007558:Italy; D007753:Laboratories / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011786:Quality Control