Ultra-Scan plans to combine its ultrasonic fingerprint biometric technology with Bio-Optronics’ bar coding software in an effort to provide a more accurate patient identification system. The two companies hope this will enable healthcare professionals to reduce medical errors and improve workflow.
According to the Institute of Medicine, medical errors cause up to 98,000 deaths and 770,000 adverse effects annually, representing the eighth leading cause of morbidity in the US. The companies claim the new combined offering will set out to address two of the major causes of medical errors – patient misidentification and medication administration.
Patients enrolled on the system will be verified by providing fingerprints that match the bar code on their wristband. Hospital staff responsible for administering medications will also be fingerprinted to check their authorization to do so.
