Pocket PCs and the Drug and Biological Products Bar Code System

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.socketcom.com/video.asp?Movie=KDKA_barcode.wmv' target='_blank'>http://www.socketcom.com/video.asp?...DKA_barcode.wmv</a><br /><br /></div><i>"In an effort to improve patient safety in the hospital setting by reducing medication errors, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a final rule titled, Bar Code Label Requirements for Human Drug Products and Biological Products. FDA is issuing a final rule that requires "bar codes" on most prescription drugs and on certain over-the-counter drugs. The final rule requires linear bar codes on most prescription drugs and on over-the-counter drugs commonly used in hospitals and dispensed pursuant to an order. The bar code must, at a minimum, contain the drug's National Drug Code (NDC) number, which uniquely identifies the drug."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050412-KDKA.gif" /><br /><br />Residents in the United States are probably well aware of the new <a href="http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/barcode-sadr/fs-barcode.html">bar code system</a> brought in by the FDA. So what does this have to do with Pocket PCs? Well, a Pittsburgh news station recently had a mini-presentation on the whole system, and the driving force behind it all were Pocket PCs equipped with <a href="http://www.socketcom.com/product/IS5006-245.asp">Socket's CF In-Hand Scan</a> add-on. Once again, this simply reinforces the fact that Pocket PCs are doing great things for the medical industry, and you have to wonder what's coming next! On a side note, are those hx4700s they're using? 8O<br /><br /><b>Note:</b> The title link points to a WMV stream. Mobile readers may want to view this when they have access to a computer.

[whyPocketPC]

Darius,

Thanks for posting the clip. Just another example of how Pocket PC devices are making it into our daily enterprise (and healthcare) lives. The actual Socket bar code scanning product both deployed and used in the video is the In-Hand Scan CF Card and not the SDIO product. The CompactFlash version of Socket's product is a laser based product and a much higher performance product versus it's SDIO cousin. :lol:

Correct Product URL:
http://www.socketcom.com/product/IS5006-245.asp

Thanks again for posting!! :mrgreen:

[Stik]

Darius,

I noticed in the telecast that the Dr. reporter said hospitals are slow in getting barcode systems because of cost factors. In your opinion, besides the obvious patient safety issues, wouldn't one of the greatest advantages ( ROI ) of this be the less human errors that are made, the less likely that litigation would be brought because of medication dispersement error??

You know, malpractice stuff?

Regardless, its terrific to see Pocket PC's being used in what can be described as a better way to treat patients and their medicine intakes. 8)

The CompactFlash version of Socket's product is a laser based product and a much higher performance product versus it's SDIO cousin.

whyPocketPC,

Aha! Learn something new everyday. :wink:

http://www.socketcom.com/pdf/scan/ScanningPerformanceComparison.pdf

[Darius Wey]

The actual Socket bar code scanning product both deployed and used in the video is the In-Hand Scan CF Card and not the SDIO product.

Oops... Thanks for pointing that out.

Time for more coffee, and then I'll update the post, eh? :morning:

[Darius Wey]

I noticed in the telecast that the Dr. reporter said hospitals are slow in getting barcode systems because of cost factors. In your opinion, besides the obvious patient safety issues, wouldn't one of the greatest advantages ( ROI ) of this be the less human errors that are made, the less likely that litigation would be brought because of medication dispersement error?? You know, malpractice stuff? Regardless, its terrific to see Pocket PC's being used in what can be described as a better way to treat patients and their medicine intakes. 8)

Perhaps. However, in most cases, you need to picture scenarios with and without the use of Pocket PCs for a considerable period of time before you can make judgemental statements as to whether or not the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. In my opinion, I reckon it's great that medical technology has started to take off over the past few years, and in the coming years, we'll certainly see more of this, but as you say, cost remains as one of the major barriers to break through. I think what they've got set up here is pretty neat, and can definitely help minimise a few potential errors in product administration, but there's also the side of things where the whole system can be exploited, and that must definitely be considered at all times. As long as the benefits gained outweigh the costs and risks involved, it will most probably prove to be a great setup.

[Stik]

Time for more coffee, and then I'll update the post, eh? :morning:

Darius,

Thanks for replying to my question. Just one more...

Don't you EVER sleep???

Hey, load my tank with methylxanthines and I'm good to go also! :lol:

[Darius Wey]

Don't you EVER sleep???

:worried: