Revolutionary barcode technology that is currently being trialled by the NHS in England is already making significant improvements within the care home industry.
Launched in 2015, Well Careplus’ Well Pad device uses a unique barcode system to give the correct medicine to the correct resident at over 170 care homes across the country.
The Well Pad’s new barcode system eliminates the opportunity for common mistakes; ensuring patients receive medicine as quickly and safely as possible.
Almost 9,000 residents are signed up to the service at care homes nationwide, with over a million medication administrations performed using the ground-breaking technology each week.
Following a 2009 study for the Department of Health, it emerged that two-thirds of care home residents experience one or more medication errors as a result of misprescribing, dispensing, administering, or monitoring of medicines, Well pharmacy introduced Well Careplus – the UK’s only independently-proven digital method of medicine management to combat these errors.
Similar technology is now being trialled in a £12 million project that has the potential to save lives and up to £1 billion for the NHS over seven years.
Shiraz Khan, Head of Careplus, explained, ‘Our barcode technology was developed, as it became evident that the way medicines were being managed in the care home industry, needed updating.
‘By introducing systems, such as the Well Pad, barcode technology has reduced medicine wastage, while also eradicating mistakes.
‘It’s really encouraging to see that similar technology is now being trialled by the NHS, and we remain committed to continue looking for further ways to improve medication management practices in the industry.’
