There is no industry more time or error sensitive than healthcare: inefficient or inaccurate processes frequently run the risk of poor or improper treatment. Healthcare facilities simply cannot afford to continue utilizing unreliable or outdated equipment at the expense of providing their patients with the highest quality of care.
That's why healthcare facilities are starting to utilize 2D imagers as their primary scanning units. Contrary to popular wisdom, 2D imagers are not just for scanning 2D barcodes: their additional functionalities have skyrocketed them as the scanner of choice even for facilities that still predominately utilize 1D barcodes.
"Only a few years ago 2D imagers were (wrongly) considered a niche technology mostly used for reading 2D bar codes. Now, they are becoming the technology of choice for most bar code applications – and the fastest growing category of bar code readers"
- Intermec, Imaging Moves Into the Mainstream
Listed below are just a few of the reasons why Healthcare facilities are turning to 2D Imagers:
2D Patient ID - Patient wristbands are more commonly being equipped with 2D barcodes for the amount of information that can be contained within the tight parameters of a 2D barcode. In order to ensure that the proper care is given to the correct patient, their wristband is scanned prior to any clinical action.
Prescription Documentation - Utilizing the imaging function of the scanner, clinicians can scan paper prescripions and upload them to a digital document storage.
Ensure Proper Medication - By simply scanning the patient's wristband and then the medication, the clinician can ensure that the right medication goes to the right patient. 2D imagers enable an easier scan of small 2D or poorly aligned 1D barcodes that are commonly found on smaller vials.
Superior 1D scanning - even if there are processes in your clinic that have not yet migrated to 2D barcodes, the 2D imager provides a much more reliable scan for 1D barcodes, especially in situations where the barcode is damaged or situated at a poor angle. Read more about the differences between 1D and 2D scanners here.
The necessary verification processes your hospital has to undergo does not need to impact the productivity or reliability of your clinic. To learn more about how 2D imagers can benefit your clinic, or to find out what 2D imager would be the best-fit for your facility, contact WNS today.
Cover photo credit curteousy of Honeywell International Inc.