AM Labels provides complete solutions for Healthcare in the NHS

AM Labels Ltd specialises in systems to improve efficiency and reduce errors in health care. With barcoded wristbands, slide labels and wireless handheld computers, patient records can be accessed at the bed side. Barcodes on drug and blood products like slide labels and blood bag labels can then be scanned to eliminate errors and automatically update patient records. AM Labels can supply complete systems, or upgrade existing systems, e.g. by using drug and sample label printers already in place, to print bar codes.

NHS Patient Identification

Patient identification systems, allow the administration of blood products and drugs to be automatically checked, reducing errors and improving efficiency. The key to the system is a bar coded wristband. These can be printed at the point of issue using a small desktop printer. New Z-Band Direct wristbands are available from Zebra, that don't require a thermal transfer ribbon for printing. This means that lower cost direct thermal printers can be used and the system is simpler to operate.

Wristband bar codes can be read by low cost handheld computers or PDAs. Processing can either be carried out locally on the PDA or with a wireless PDA, the latest information can be accessed on the main hospital computer.

Blood Bag Labelling for the NHS

Blood bag labelling is one of the most important applications for barcoding, product identification, matching products to patients, providing an audit trail and reducing errors. Blood product labels can be printed at the point of issue by small desktop printers and scanned by barcode readers connected directly to a PC or handheld computers or PDAs.

Blood bag labels can be printed with linear barcodes or 2 dimensional barcodes.

Patient Records

Barcoding NHS patient records is a simple way of improving efficiency and reducing errors. Barcodes can be printed as part of the document or where this is not possible, a barcode label can be printed.

Barcodes can be printed on appointment letters and quickly scanned on admission to identify the NHS patient and automatically book them in. The use of barcodes for patient records does not have to be implemented all at once. Systems can be implemented in stages, by department or record type. It is, however, important to select the most cost effective means of printing and reading the barcodes for each application.

Drug and Sample Labelling

Low cost desktop printers are ideal for drug and sample labelling. Mobile printers allow these labels to be printed at the bedside as required, reducing the chance of mislabelling when labels are printed in batches. The latest top coated direct thermal label materials provide excellent resistance to marking when scuffed and are suitable for drug labelling and many sample labels.

Thermal transfer printers are able to produce a permanent print on paper and synthetic materials. These are ideal for freezer or liquid Nitrogen applications in laboratories, where a water proof label is required. In many cases, existing label printers can be used to print barcodes, providing a lower cost upgrade path.

Stock Control

Applications for stock control include the pharmacy and drugs stored locally on wards. Each item of stock would require a barcode. When items are booked in or issued, the barcode would be scanned and the quantity entered. Each transaction can then be recorded against an order or a patient, with the operator ID and time and date automatically stored with each transaction.

AM Labels can supply barcoding and data capture equipment to integrate with existing systems, or provide a complete package including standard or customised stock control software.

Slide Labels

AM Labels supply slide labels for use in NHS laboratories. Using slide labels will avoid confusing slides and reduce human error. These slide labels are resistant to harsh chemicals but also have write on capabilities for extra patient information. Slides are needed so doctors can look at cells under a microscope to find out what is going on. Slide Labels can allow a doctor/nurse to find patient information they need from the slide quickly and easily by looking at the slide labels. These slide labels also have a permanent adhesive so they will not fall off in a busy laboratory environment. More Information

Service

AM Labels can provide maintenance contracts for label printers, barcode scanners and handheld computers. Types of contract include onsite with four or eight hour response times, return to base or advanced exchange. We can also provide regular preventative maintenance calls to service label printers, onsite installation and training on the care and use of equipment.

Service for NHS printers: