CareScan, the innovative system developed by the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has been reviewed by a prestigious not-for-profit organisation.
CareScan uses barcodes and hand-held scanners to ensure care is delivered to the right patient, at the right location, using the right equipment and products. It was introduced by the trust in 2020.
Scanning
Simply by scanning a unique barcode on patient wristbands, clinical devices and products, CareScan performs safety checks and verifies procedures. It also assists in the streamlining of essential product re-orders.
The trust is compliant with the latest data standard set out by NHS England for positive patient identification.
GS1 UK recently visited North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust to check out its award-winning patient safety system, CareScan.
Glen Hodgson, head of healthcare at GS1 UK recently visited the trust to learn more about CareScan and the benefits it brings to patients and clinicians. The not-for-profit organisation set standards which support the NHS to identify, capture and share information through the unique identification of every person, product, and place.
Collaborative
Glen said: “North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust excels in innovation, quality care, and operational efficiency through collaborative approaches. Every individual at this trust contributes to this legacy.”
The visit included practical sessions of CareScan in the simulation suites at the University Hospital of North Tees so Glen could see the system in use on training manikins which simulate real-life patient illnesses and behaviours.
A huge impact
Ken Anderson, University Hospitals Tees chief information officer, commented: “Giving colleagues such as Glen a hands-on experience of using CareScan is really important in order to fully explain its benefits.
“Having GS1 UK Healthcare visit and be impressed with our technology is a real coup as they quite literally set the standards for the NHS when it comes to barcode technology.
“CareScan is having a huge impact on patient safety in our trust and we want to see it used across the healthcare sector.”
CareScan provides alerts for out of date products, and, where applicable also offers general usage guidance. These alerts provide decision support that is key to further improving patient safety.
The system also maintains a record of surgical implants so in the unlikely event of a manufacturer’s recall, every patient who has received the recalled product can be identified within minutes so that any necessary review can be arranged swiftly.