Two Year Evaluation of Barcode Identification System in Mortality and Autopsy Service with Integration of Demographic Database of Hospital Records and Microsoft Access Interface
Honorable Mention - Pathology InformaticsAvneesh, Gupta ; None;
Content:
Linear barcodes are currently used in numerous hospital settings to improve efficiency and reduce error. We previously introduced an electronic mortality service database including a barcode system for body identification and Microsoft Access Interface. In this study we present a 2 year follow up of this program, emphasizing the results of 2 separate user satisfaction surveys of mortality personnel.
Technology:
A barcode scanning process using a wireless barcode scanner (Intermec Technologies Corporation [Model # ScanPlus 1802 Vista]) and a Website for body identification linked to demographic data from hospital electronic medical records were implemented in 2005 on our mortality service. Linked demographic information serves as a check on potential errors during manual data entry. The new data base was transferred to a Structured Query Language secure server.
Design:
Using conditional formatting, an algorithm was developed for scanning barcodes on the decedents body, body bag, and mortality work sheet. For quality assurance, the barcode scanned medical record number is used to avoid duplication of a death entry into the database. The employee identification number and a time-stamp are also entered into the database for accountability purposes.
Results:
Two brief user-satisfaction surveys were conducted nine and twenty - two months, respectively, after implementation of the system. The survey results were favorable, indicating that users had accepted the new barcode system. In the most recent survey, all users emphasized the systems ability to alert them of potential errors or identification mismatches, and reduce the possibility of data entry errors or misidentification. Users graded barcode scanning as superior for increasing personnel accountability and efficiency. No respondent experienced shut-down, scanning failure, or data entry errors. The system has had an impact on the overall reduction of errors on the mortality service.
Conclusion:
We have shown over a 2-year period, using a simple and inexpensive electronic monitoring system, that bar code technology is feasible and efficacious on the mortality service as in other areas of the laboratory. The application of similar systems in tracking mortality of mass casualties following terrorist attacks, in military operations, and for general forensic practice is feasible and currently under development.
