SEATTLE, May 12, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Memorial Healthcare System, Hollywood, Florida, recently contracted with Integrated Healthcare Systems, Inc. (IHS), to automate three hospital pharmacies with the IHS Barcode to Dose(tm) solution. Memorial Healthcare System, serving more than 1200 beds, plans to utilize the Barcode to Dose(tm) solution to improve patient safety, enhance productivity, and increase accuracy, while reducing expenses.
IHS has become a significant strategic partner in Memorial Healthcare System's efforts to streamline medication barcode applications. The Barcode to Dose(tm) solution, offered exclusively by IHS, will ensure that every dose of medication delivered to patient care areas will have barcode applications for bedside scan verification systems.
"The Barcode to Dose(tm) solution transcends pharmacy and provides numerous benefits to nurses in patient care areas," said David J. Osterberger, Pharm. D., Director of Pharmacy, Memorial Regional Hospital. "This strategic partnership provides unique barcode solutions allowing Memorial Healthcare System to implement numerous patient safety initiatives across the entire Memorial Healthcare System in a very reasonable and cost-effective manner."
This strategic partnership with Memorial Healthcare System provides the centerpiece of patient safety initiatives by applying barcode technology to all medication doses delivered to patient care areas. "We are delighted to enter into this agreement with Memorial Healthcare System, a leading provider of healthcare services," said Thomas McCarthy, President of IHS. "We look forward to continued collaboration with Memorial Healthcare System to develop solutions that will improve operational efficiency and ensure patient safety."
The IHS Barcode to Dose(tm) solution allows every dose dispensed from a hospital pharmacy to be packaged and bar-coded for distribution and tracking throughout the healthcare system. The solution is comprised of the OS-PAC and the proprietary IHS Barcode Labeling systems.
The OS-PAC is a product line of automated medication packaging systems that allow any pharmacy to reduce costs, increase productivity and improve accuracy. OS-PAC systems are available in several models, handling from 74 to 400 drug canisters, to meet a wide range of drug formulary requirements. The IHS Barcode Labeling system will produce proprietary barcode labels for all non-oral solid medications.
Memorial Healthcare System has been a leader in providing high quality healthcare services to South Florida residents for over 50 years. Memorial Regional Hospital, located in Hollywood, is the flagship facility of the Healthcare System and is one of the largest hospitals in Florida. Memorial Regional Hospital offers an extensive and diverse level of services that include a state-of-the-art Cardiac and Vascular Institute featuring nationally renowned surgeons and an Cancer Center that treats more inpatients than any other in Broward County.
Integrated Healthcare Systems, Inc., is the industry leader in providing complete, integrated pharmacy solutions to improve patient safety, increase accuracy, and enhance productivity, while reducing expenses. The Washington State-based company specializes in partnering with Healthcare System Pharmacies to develop and provide innovative solutions that will improve operational efficiency and ensure patient safety.
To find out more about Integrated Healthcare Systems, Inc. call (800) 541-4102 or email to info@ihsystems.net.