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Case Study - Queensland Health

The Client
Queensland Health

About Queensland Health
Queensland Health is the government body responsible for public health services in Queensland. It's comprised of a central administration unit and sixteen Health and Hospital Services (HHSs), which function as independent statutory bodies. Queensland Health employs over 75,000 full-time staff and has an annual budget of $15 billion.
 
Client Challenge
Hospital patient records have traditionally been paper-based and limited to a single storage location. This presents several challenges:-
  1. Paper is prone to deterioration, misplacement and loss.
  2. Paper records can only be accessed at a single location.
  3. A paper environment is not conducive to Positive Patient Identification processes.
  4. Paper records become voluminous very quickly, making information searches difficult.

Queensland Health has recognised these challenges and is implementing a solution called the integrated electronic Medical Record (ieMR). The ieMR is an electronic patient record and workflow management system supplied by Cerner Corporation. It provides medical staff at participating hospitals with access to a central electronic patient record.

As part of the ieMR project, “enabling” devices such as printers, wristbands and scanners are required by staff to utilise the software platform. These devices need to be Wi-Fi capable to take advantage of existing wireless infrastructure.

The Solution
Queensland Health has selected Barcode Dynamics on numerous occasions to provide “enabling” technology at public hospitals and health care facilities throughout the State. With assistance from key partners, SATO HealthCare Australia, Zebra and Datalogic, the following devices have been deployed recently:-

Zebra HC100 wristband printers

  • Direct thermal printing technology with 300 dpi resolution.
  • Wristband cartridges are easy to load.
  • Ethernet, Wi-Fi and USB enabled.
  • Easy to use – no manual calibration required.
  • Wristbands feel soft, come in a variety of colours, and can be washed with disinfectant.

SATO MB4 patient label printers

  • Direct thermal printing technology with a choice of 203 dpi resolution (MB400) or 305 dpi resolution (MB410i).
  • 4.09-inch print width capability.
  • Compact size for easy storage.
  • Wi-Fi enabled.
  • Maximum print speed of 4 ips with high throughput.
  • Plastic casing with anti-bacterial properties; can be cleaned easily.
  • Power-saving feature.

SATO MB2 pathology sample collection label printers

  • Direct thermal printing technology with 203 dpi resolution.
  • 1.89-inch print width capability.
  • Compact size for easy storage.
  • Fits easily onto a medical cart or sample collection trolley.
  • Wi-Fi enabled.
  • Maximum print speed of 4 ips with high throughput.
  • Plastic casing with anti-bacterial properties; can be cleaned easily.
  • Power-saving feature.

Datalogic GT-440 handheld and fixed cable barcode readers

  • Wi-Fi enabled and capable of tethering.
  • Clinical grade.
  • Easy to configure and use.
  • User notified of successful scan by flashing green light.

Why Queensland Health Chose Barcode Dynamics

  • GITC and QAssure accredited.
  • Excellent vendor relationships with SATO HealthCare Australia, Zebra and Datalogic.
  • Platinum Zebra Partner - largest in Queensland.
  • Access to full range of devices, equipment and consumables required by ieMR for “enabling” phase.
  • Proven track record with Queensland Health and Queensland government in general.
  • Excellent service and support capability.
  • Dedicated specialist staff with expertise in mobile data capture and labelling.

Progress of ieMR within Queensland Health
To date, ieMR has been implemented at the following facilities: Cairns Hospital, Mackay Base Hospital, Lady Cilento Children's Hospital, Townsville Hospital and Princess Alexandra Hospital.