Jacobi Medical Center Gains ROI Using Smart Band® RFID Wristband System
San Fernando, CA (January 19, 2006) – Precision Dynamics Corporation (PDC), a global leader in automatic wristband identification, announces the successful pilot of its Smart Band® RFID Wristbands at North Bronx Healthcare Network’s (NBHN) Jacobi Medical Center (Bronx, NY).
Working with systems integrator Siemens Business Services (SBS) (Norwalk, CT) and PDC, Jacobi implemented an RFID wristband system for patient identification and medication administration, replacing its manual process of identifying patients, in its two acute-care departments. The RFID system improved patient safety and care, increased productivity, and helped cut costs.
Daniel Morreale, Chief Information Officer for NBHN at the time of the Jacobi implementation, stated that “the RFID trial saved one hour per nurse per shift. If the application is rolled out network-wide, it could potentially save $1 million a year, but more importantly this creates two to three hours during every nursing shift for additional patient contact and care.”
The old process required staff to manually enter the patient’s medical record number printed on the wristband, after medication administration rounds, into the hospital information system using computers located at nurses’ stations. This process took staff longer to complete and was prone to more errors compared to using RFID.
Quality of patient care and safety has improved since hospital staff was able to gain access to patient records quicker for better service. “Clinicians have endorsed the pilot program and want it expanded because it makes the handling of administrative tasks simpler than with the paper-based system,” said Jerry Moy, senior client executive at Siemens Business Services. “The system’s ROI is evident in cost savings, but more importantly, in improved patient safety.”
“The RFID wristbands were an essential part of the Jacobi RFID implementation,” said Irwin Thall, RFID Manager for Healthcare at PDC. “They allow for peripheral applications to connect with one another and communicate accordingly. Without the wristbands, the system would not be functional—they are the glue that keeps everything together.”
RFID is a read/write technology which allows medical personnel to instantly update patient information. RFID tags can be encrypted to protect the patient’s information and comply with industry regulations, such as HIPAA. Also, RFID is non line-of-sight and can be read through bedcovers and clothing, making it less disruptive for patients, especially when they are sleeping.
To read the full case study, visit http://img.pdchealthcare.com/media/literature/pdf/insider-jacobi-medical-center.pdf or contact Daniel Hobin at [email protected] or 818-897-1111 ext.1340 for more information.
About Jacobi Medical Center
With more than 500 beds, Jacobi Medical Center has grown into the largest public hospital in the Bronx. It offers a complete range of acute, specialty, general and psychiatric services. Jacobi also operates community-based health care centers that provide general adult and pediatric examinations and health screenings for a variety of concerns, including hypertension, diabetes, breast cancer and prostate cancer. Jacobi Medical Center is a member of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, and a partner in the North Bronx Healthcare Network. For more information, visit http://www.nyc.gov/html/hhc/jacobi/home.html.
About Precision Dynamics
With 50 years of experience, PDC is the global leader and pacesetter in the development of automatic identification wristband systems for healthcare, patron management, and law enforcement. The company introduced the first patient Bar Code ID Wristband System in 1984, Smart Band® Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Wristband System in 2000, and AgeBand® Electronic Age/ID Verification System in 2004. PDC is committed to 100% quality in service, design, and manufacturing. This is substantiated by their ISO-9001: 2000 and ISO-13485: 2003 certification at their main facility in San Fernando, CA. For more information, visit www.pdcorp.com.
Media Contact:
Leona Chavez
PDC
661.257.0233 x1351
[email protected]