PDC-St. John to Demonstrate Innovations in Bar Code and RFID Patient Identification at HIMSS 2013

March 5, 2013 - PRLog -- Precision Dynamics-St. John (PDC-St. John), the global leader in healthcare identification solutions, will roll-out its latest innovations in automated patient identification at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference and exhibition, from March 3 to 7 in New Orleans. The company’s bar code and RFID wristband systems help healthcare organizations meet mandated requirements of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) for electronic tracking of medications—a major area of focus in Healthcare, which will receive significant coverage at HIMSS.

Based on meaningful use requirements of the CMS, hospitals must automatically track more than 10 percent of medication orders using assistive technologies, such as bar code and RFID with electronic medication administration record (eMAR) by 2014. Failure to meet regulations can result in significant incentive payment penalties in fiscal year 2015. At its exhibit (# 7113), PDC-St. John will demonstrate the features and benefits of its automated patient identification solutions, which help hospitals improve patient safety and care, enhance the overall patient experience, and comply with important safety regulations, including CMS meaningful use criteria.

PDC will introduce its newest and softest laser bar code ID wristband, the DuraSoft™ Laser Patient ID System. “DuraSoft™ was inspired by the need for a soft and lightweight wristband that’s more comfortable for patients, while providing efficiency, convenience, and valuable time savings for caregivers, said D’Albert Benoit, marketing manager for PDC-St. John.

Made of ultra soft and smooth materials, DuraSoft™ provides patient safety, comfort, and durability for up to 15 days. Through hands-on demonstrations, attendees will be encouraged to feel and apply the wristbands to compare their softness, smoothness, and ease of use to that of traditional laser wristband products.

In addition to softness, DuraSoft’s™ specially designed moisture-resistant material doesn’t require a laminate overlay like traditional laser wristbands. Providers can print information and bar codes directly to its laser printable sheet. An antimicrobial additive protects the wristband surface against non-pathogenic bacteria. “DuraSoft’s™ quick and easy application— with no wristband assembly required— saves staff time to improve workflow, while allowing more time for patient care,” said Benoit. In addition, DuraSoft™ is the only laser wristband that works with PDC-St. John’s Ident-Alert® color-coded snaps, a popular product among hospitals that helps caregivers identify one or multiple special patient conditions, such as Allergy Alert, Fall Risk, DNR, etc. using industry standard text and colors.

HIMSS attendees will also have the opportunity to experience the PDC Smart® Wristband Dispensing Kiosk— an industry first. Experts from PDC-St. John and Intelligent InSites, the leading provider of real-time operational intelligence in healthcare, will demonstrate the kiosk’s pre-registration and print-on-demand application benefits for hospitals and patients. The technology allows patients to conveniently secure hospital appointments online, and then quickly register at PDC Smart® Wristband Kiosks stationed at the hospital, providing significant operational efficiencies for healthcare organizations.

As part of the automated registration process, patients receive a bar-coded confirmation notice after scheduling an appointment online. Upon arrival to the hospital, the patient presents his/her unique bar code to the PDC Smart® Kiosk to check-in and instantly receive a personalized admission wristband. The applications help hospitals to speed up transactions while reducing lines, wait times, and the need for additional admissions staff. Additional features allow patients to review their appointment status and disburse their co-pay or other hospital bill directly through the kiosk. The touch-screen interface makes transactions fast and simple, helping to improve customer convenience, satisfaction, and loyalty.

“Healthcare providers face difficult challenges to improve the quality of patient care, reduce costs, and meet critical standardization requirements,” said Tracey Carpentier, president of PDC-St. John. “Our company is focused on being a trusted partner for our customers to help them protect patients, maintain regulatory compliance, and improve operational efficiencies across the continuum of care.”

For more information on the Durasoft™ Laser Patient ID System and PDC Smart® Wristband Dispensing Kiosk, call 800.435.4242 or email info@pdcorp.com.

About Precision Dynamics Corporation–St. John
With more than 55 years of experience, Precision Dynamics Corporation-St. John is the global leader and pacesetter in the development of wristband, label, medical records and imaging systems. The company specializes in serving the healthcare, leisure and entertainment, and law enforcement industries. A pioneer of innovative technologies, the company introduced the first single-piece patient wristband, first bar code wristband system, first Smart Band® RFID wristband system, first thermal printer wristband, and the award winning PDC Smart® Kiosk, among many other innovations.

Precision Dynamics Corporation-St. John products are used in leading hospitals worldwide and comprise a comprehensive range of solutions that provide positive ID and positive clinical outcomes, while meeting important guidelines of The Joint Commission, World Healthcare Organization, FDA, AHA, and HIPAA. Complying with ISO 9001 standards, Precision Dynamics Corporation – St. John follows a systematic, world-standard approach to ensure superior product design, manufacturing, and customer support services. For more information, visit http://www.pdcorp.com and http://www.stjohninc.com.

On Dec. 28, 2012, the company was acquired by Brady Corporation,  a world leader in identification solutions for premises, products, and people.