Duraprint wristband application process saves hospital time and increases work flow efficiency

Precision Dynamics CorporationSep 21 2009

In today's busy hospitals, caregivers appreciate products that provide quick and easy application, allowing them to focus more time on patients. Precision Dynamics-TimeMed, the global leader in healthcare identification, streamlines and simplifies the wristband application process with its new DuraPrint® laser printable wristband and label system. Unlike traditional laminated wristbands, DuraPrint's® patented design doesn't require a laminate overlay, which saves hospital time and increases work flow efficiency.

"In talking to hospital staff that are responsible for banding patients, a common criticism of the laminate overly wristband is inconvenience," said Maryellen O'Keefe Smith, Product Manager for Precision Dynamics-TimeMed. "Staff found the manual process of applying the adhesive film onto the band to be cumbersome, time-consuming, and inefficient."

Designed to overcome these challenges, DuraPrint's® advanced material safely protects patient data and bar codes without the need for an overlay. "It's quick, easy, and seamless. Simply remove the band, apply it to the patient's wrist, and secure with the tamper-evident adhesive closure," said O'Keefe Smith. Optional snap closures can also be ordered separately.

Convenient Jam Free™ printing is another feature that distinguishes DuraPrint® from other laser printable ID products. DuraPrint is specially designed of materials that lay flat when exposed to high humidity to prevent curling, which is the number one cause of printer jams and can lead to costly maintenance.

In addition to the convenience factor, DuraPrint® is built for patient safety. To ensure positive patient identification, the product is rigorously tested to scan the first time with a bar code reader. "When tested against laminated products for scanning accuracy, DuraPrint's® read rate is unmatched," said O'Keefe Smith. "This is achieved because there's no laminate covering to obstruct scanning. Also, its unique material facilitates exceptional print toner adhesion, which yields high quality output for accurate scanning."

DuraPrint® also resists moisture, alcohol, and hand sanitizer to further protect patient information. With traditional laminated products, liquids can become trapped underneath the overlay, which can corrupt patient information and potentially lead to misidentification. Bar code readability and legibility problems can also occur as wrinkles or air pockets may develop underneath the laminate overlay.

Val Verde Regional Medical Center in Del Rio, Texas is one of many hospitals that have made the switch to DuraPrint® after struggles with a laminate overlay product. "The film covering on our former product was complicated to assemble," said David L. Hanline, Director of Materials Management at the medical center. "In contrast, DuraPrint® is quick and easy -- from printing, to assembly to application. It's made everyone's job easier and has become an important part of our patient identification system. We use it exclusively."

Product quality and durability were also key factors to Val Verde Regional Medical Center's switch to DuraPrint®. "During testing, we tried many different ways to destroy or deface the product and remove the print without success," said Hanline. While DuraPrint® is rigorously tested for strength and resilience, it's soft and pliable for maximum patient comfort. Its supple, smooth material and contoured edges will not damage skin -- a feature that many patients have commented on since the medical center switched to DuraPrint.®

"The patient wristband is one of the few hospital products that come in daily contact with both the patient and caregiver, from Admissions to discharge," said O'Keefe Smith. "We designed DuraPrint® to be one of the most patient-friendly and user-friendly products in Healthcare to make the process of patient identification and quality care easier and more productive."