LABELLING IN HEALTHCARE
CONTINUED
Manufacturer response Label printer manufacturers are responding to the concerns of healthcare providers with a range of products designed to provide better, more consistent labelling. Bart Vansteenkiste, global life sciences sector manager, Domino Printing Sciences, notes that inaccurate or unreadable codes are a concern for manufacturers. “As it’s likely that such products will be rejected at some stage during the supply chain,” he says. “Today, many manufacturers have automated quality control systems in place to ensure that codes are correct and readable at the time of printing, but one area where we are starting to see issues is where companies attempt to reduce cost by opting for lower quality materials, including cardboard boxes, labels and printer ribbons. Opting for lower cost items such as this can make it more challenging to ensure that boxes are correctly sealed, labels are properly adhered, and the printed codes on labels will not degrade or disappear during transit. “To ensure labels are readable and will not prematurely degrade, a combination of quality control and use of high-quality materials, including printer ribbons and labels, can help ensure durability and longevity. For accurate, high-quality prints that will last, we recommend a closed-loop code and check system alongside wax resin printer ribbons and high-quality vellum labels. That said, the exact ribbon and label requirement will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so we always test customer-specific samples to ensure the optimal solution.” Bart adds that label printer manufacturers are responding to quality, accuracy, and durability concerns with advanced closed-loop vision systems which perform multiple accuracy checks on product codes before and after application. “With a ‘Print, Check, Apply, Check’ system, the readability and accuracy of a code will be checked in the first instance, and after a label has been applied, a second vision system will confirm that a product has received a label with the correct information,” he says. “Alongside this, work is also being done to improve print and apply labelling systems to reduce challenges related to poor box and label quality.” Bob notes that manufacturers are also prioritising security. “Retaining control over the printer settings is also important,” he says. “Manufacturers are now password protecting these settings from unskilled or unauthorised adjustment. They are also making these
settings as ‘variables’, which can be determined and then set in the label design software for the label in question. This ensures each label is always printed at its optimum and previously tested settings to give the best results.” Withstanding harsh conditions Richard adds that labels must be able to withstand harsh conditions. “Zebra offers specialised materials and adhesives designed to endure disinfectants, extreme temperatures, and prolonged storage,” he says. “For example, our synthetic labels are ideal for cryogenic lab samples, and our durable labels maintain medication information even after repeated handling and exposure to moisture or chemicals. This durability is crucial for preserving critical information throughout the lifecycle of medical products and patient care processes. “Printing devices will also need to be disinfected in a healthcare environment to help prevent the spread of pathogens. Zebra’s range of healthcare dedicated printers are purpose-built with medical-grade plastics, as well as medical-grade power supplies, that are IEC 60601-01 compliant for years of safe and reliable performance. “Zebra enhances label quality and reliability with solutions like Zebra Designer, allowing healthcare and pharmaceutical providers to create optimal label layouts and barcode configurations, minimising printing errors. Integrated verification systems ensure printed barcodes meet stringent industry standards. “This reliability supports accurate patient identification, safe medication administration, and effective sample tracking, ultimately promoting better patient outcomes and operational efficiency.” Comprehensive solution Richard adds Zebra, along with its channel partners, recently supported Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, with an end-to- end solution. “They implemented a comprehensive RFID-based real-time location system with
Deyon Antoine, product marketing manager
toshibatec.co.uk
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By automating the labelling process, users save time by speeding up the labelling process, reduce manual human errors and streamline workflows.
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Bob Tilling VP global sales
kallik.com
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