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Advancing Patient Safety through Digital Innovation

How we are empowering clinicians with smart technologies.

September 17, 2024

Imagine you are a healthcare professional in a fast-paced hospital setting, where every second counts, and the accuracy of medication administration can make the difference between life and death. With so many responsibilities, including patient care, managing medications, and ensuring safety protocols, the risk of human error due to manual data entry is ever-present.

At Fresenius, our aspiration is clear: We bring healthcare innovation to people. This Fresenius Principle drives our commitment to delivering cutting-edge digital solutions directly to those who need them. By transforming how clinicians interact with medications, we are enhancing patient safety, reducing the margin for error, and ultimately improving healthcare outcomes.

lady doctor checking medications

Streamlining Medication Management with Data Matrix Barcodes

At the core of our digitalization efforts is the introduction of Data Matrix Barcodes on primary packaging for a good segment of our pharmaceutical portfolio. This technology is designed to alleviate one of the most time-consuming and error-prone aspects of medication management: manual data entry. By incorporating GS1 Data Matrix barcodes on our drug labels, we provide clinicians with a faster, safer way to identify and verify medications. These 2D barcodes contain crucial information such as the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), lot number, and expiration date, offering a comprehensive snapshot that can be automatically scanned and integrated into medication management systems.

For healthcare professionals, this means:

  • Reduced human error: Automatic identification helps ensure that the correct drug is being stocked, preventing mix-ups that can result from manual data entry.
  • Improved traceability: Lot numbers and expiration dates are instantly available for tracking, supporting faster recalls and reducing the risk of expired medications being used.
  • Efficient inventory management: With automated data input, inventory levels can be more accurately monitored and replenished, eliminating the need for manual processes and reducing stockouts or overstocking.

 

These innovations empower clinicians by giving them more time to focus on patient care while reducing the potential for medication-related errors.

Hospital and its specialist doctors take care of patient with expertise, advice, discussion and fostering confidence.

Expanding Digital Solutions: RFID Technology 

While Data Matrix Barcodes are transforming medication management, Fresenius Kabi’s commitment to healthcare innovation extends beyond barcodes. Another significant step we have taken is the integration of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology in our products in the U.S. 

RFID enables even greater traceability, allowing healthcare facilities to track medications wirelessly streamline inventory management and reduce manual documentation processes contributing to patient safety and clinician efficiency. 

RFID-enabled products can save hospital staff an enormous amount of time in replenishment processes for medication trays reducing the time pharmacy personnel spend on this tedious and time-consuming task.

A Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Global initiatives in product digitalization and serialization are team efforts led by our central team within Supply Chain & Logistics Execution. Our shared goal is not just to provide advanced technology but to ensure these tools integrate seamlessly into the workflows of healthcare providers. By continually evolving our digital solutions, we are empowering those on the front lines of healthcare to better serve their patients.

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