LABELLING IN HEALTHCARE
range with two new devices, which now offer the fastest print speeds in their class at up to 8ips. This helps healthcare professionals to complete jobs faster, allowing them to focus time on enhancing patient outcomes.” Reseller role Diane adds that resellers have a pivotal role to play in helping healthcare trusts to unlock time and cost-efficiencies, by providing the devices that will help end the burdensome handwriting of label. “Today’s label printing technology is easy to deploy and designed to work with middleware software solutions that negate the need for massive change to current infrastructures and the financial burden associated with that for customers,” she says. Deyon adds that by automating the labelling process, users save time by speeding up the labelling process, reduce manual human errors and streamline workflows. “Automated labelling systems integrated with label printers allow for quick and accurate printing of labels directly from electronic health records and laboratory information systems,” he says. “Toshiba Printers are key in inventory management. They help keep track of stock levels, expiration dates and usage. Efficient inventory management ensures that healthcare providers are well-stocked and can provide timely care to patients. “Compliance with regulatory standards is a critical aspect of healthcare, label printers help healthcare providers adhere to these standards by producing labels that meet specific standards for clarity, durability and information content. “Printers aid in maintaining traceability and accurate record-keeping. Barcodes, RFiD and unique identifiers enable healthcare providers track medications, samples and equipment throughout their lifecycle. This traceability is crucial for auditing, quality control and responding to recalls or adverse events. “Label printers can integrate with electronic systems to ensure consistent information across all records and labels. This integration helps maintain the accuracy and integrity of patient information, reducing the risk of discrepancies and enhancing overall information management.” Richard adds that resellers should highlight several key points. “Firstly, emphasise the importance of label accuracy and readability,” he says. “Highlight how advanced printing technology ensures high-resolution, clear and legible labels, which are critical for
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Opting for lower cost items... 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.
Zebra Technologies, Tagnos and The Barcode Warehouse to optimise the management and tracking of medical equipment across their extensive campuses,” he says. “This initiative, part of the NHS' Scan4Safety program, aimed to improve asset visibility, patient care and operational efficiency. Utilising 500 fixed RFID readers, handheld RFID sleds, mobile computers, industrial printers, and over 100,000 RFID labels, the Trust achieved significant outcomes: real-time asset visibility, 88,000 hours saved annually for staff, reduced procurement costs, data-informed purchasing, enhanced equipment maintenance workflows and improved patient care. “Future plans include expanding tracking capabilities to patient belongings and rental equipment. This large-scale deployment, the biggest of its kind in Europe, promises substantial ROI and sets a versatile foundation for further advancements.” Integrating labelling devices Another case study comes from Brother UK. “The chief of the National Audit Office recently advocated for smaller, better targeted projects to modernise IT systems in areas like healthcare, as part of a broader vision to save the public sector at least £20 billion,” says Diane Barnes, senior business manager and healthcare specialist at Brother UK. “The integration of labelling technology in healthcare is a good example of how targeted IT modernisation can deliver efficiencies and productivity gains. “Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, for example, found that its staff took 75 minutes on average to process a batch of pathology blood samples by handwriting labels. We worked with the Trust to integrate a fleet of our QL labelling devices, which reduced processing time to 15 minutes. This represents a five-fold increase in productivity, while the solution also removes the risk of samples being unreadable or misinterpreted due to handwriting. “We’re also bringing forward quicker devices for faster, more accurate work. We recently upgraded our TD-4 desktop labelling
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Bart Vansteenkiste global life sciences sector manager
domino-printing.com
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