Main News Desk

Zebra Technologies introduces HC100™ patient I.D. wristbanding solution

~ Combination of thermal printer and antimicrobial coated wristbands helps improve patient identification and enhance safety ~

July 23, 2008

Zebra Technologies (Nasdaq: ZBRA), a global leader in delivering on-demand specialty printing solutions for the healthcare industry, has introduced the first cartridge-based patient I.D. solution to make wristband printing easier and more cost-effective for healthcare organisations.

“Missing or illegible wristbands are a major contributing factor to many adverse events,” says Cristina De Martini, global practice leader, healthcare, at Zebra Technologies. “By utilizing bar-coded wristbands, hospitals can ensure that clinicians have the ability to accurately identify patients before collecting specimens, administering medications or transfusing blood—a critical component for enhancing patient safety and reducing the potential for error.”

Designed for maximum ease of use, Zebra’s newest patient I.D. solution combines the small-footprint HC100™ thermal printer and easy-to-load cartridges containing Zebra’s Z Band® direct thermal wristbands—the only antimicrobial coated wristbands currently available in the market. In contrast to many laser solutions, the HC100 Patient I.D. Solution generates individual wristbands on demand. There is no need for staff to load labels into a special tray, print the labels, attach them to wristbands and apply laminate coatings, resulting in less waste and lower costs.

Featuring a smart card that optimises print intensity and automatically calibrates for band size, the patient I.D. solution facilitates quick and accurate scanning at the point of care by producing bar codes and text that withstand water, blood, soap and other liquids while remaining smudge-free longer than the average patient stay. The HC100 printer accommodates Zebra’s complete line of white and color Z Band cartridges, which are available in a variety of infant, pediatric and adult sizes as well as in both adhesive tab and clip closures. An antimicrobial coating protects Z Band wristbands from MRSA Types II, III and IV, in addition to S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and E. coli—the leading causes of hospital infections in the United States.

Unlike laser printers, which are not designed to process large quantities of adhesive-backed wristbands and labels, the HC100 Patient I.D. Solution was developed to accommodate a high volume of wristbands. As a result, users experience fewer jams and ongoing maintenance needs are minimised. Staff productivity may be enhanced because users do not have to replace toner or ribbons.

The HC100 Patient I.D. Solution features built-in wireless connectivity, which simplifies implementation and enables users to easily move printers to different locations throughout the hospital. In addition, Zebra’s relationships with leading HIT software vendors help to expedite deployment of the HC100 Patient I.D. Solution by facilitating ease of integration with ADT applications.

Executive quote

“Missing or illegible wristbands are a major contributing factor to many adverse events,” says Cristina De Martini, global practice leader, healthcare, at Zebra Technologies. “By utilizing bar-coded wristbands, hospitals can ensure that clinicians have the ability to accurately identify patients before collecting specimens, administering medications or transfusing blood—a critical component for enhancing patient safety and reducing the potential for error.”

About the company

About Zebra Technologies
Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA) delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 100 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra®-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, "smart" label and receipt printers, and plastic card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs, and better customer service.

The company has sold more than six million printers, including RFID and wireless mobile solutions, as well as ZebraDesigner™ software, ZebraLink™ connectivity solutions, Genuine Zebra printing supplies and ZebraCare™ services. Information about Zebra specialty printing solutions is at http://www.zebra.com.

Zebra Technologies Europe Ltd, headquartered in the United Kingdom, provides product and speciality label sales and support across EMEA.

Contact details

For more information on the HC100 Patient I.D. Solution and other Zebra products, please call +1 800 423 0442 or visit www.zebra.com.

For more information please contact
Lisa Gillingham or Kelly Desinioti at LEWIS PR
LEWIS Wire: http://www.lewiswire.com/uk/lewiswire/Zebra-Technologies/c/129

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7802
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7802 2627
Email: zebrauk@lewispr.com
Web: www.lewispr.com

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Zebra Technologies introduces HC100™ patient I.D. wristbanding solution

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About the company

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