Hospital error avoidance system

Abstract

A Hospital Error-Limiting Program (HELP) directed primarily at reduction of hospital errors in the delivery of medications, goods, services or procedures in patient treatment without a requirement to create patient labels and with the ability to verify frequency of dosage and other treatment specifications. The invention includes a patient wrist identification band with preprinted barcode. The barcode should be selected to correspond with the standard used to barcode unit dose medications. The portable computer should be small in size and equipped with a communication link with the host computer or barcode reader. The portable computer should preferably be coupled directly to the host computer means of the hospital for data transmission by a communication link. The portable computer should be loaded with physician's orders for medications, goods, services or procedures for specific patients. Before medications, goods, services or procedures are administered to a patient, hospital personnel will scan the machine readable code on the patient's identification band, and then the machine readable code on the unit dose(s) of the medications, goods, services, or procedures will be scanned. The portable computer will compare these readings with the doctor's orders and other internal files as required and verify that the administration of the identified medications, goods, services or procedures is either correct or not correct.