Covidien Imaging Solutions is releasing a new RFID (radio frequency identification) tracking system for its contrast agent injector system, OptiVantage DH. The technology comprises of an RFID tracker chip within the injection syringe, and a communication system that writes dosing information into the chip during fill-ups.
From the press release:
The RFID-enabled system creates an intelligent interface between the contrast media syringe and the power injector that helps radiology technologists to better ensure that each patient receives the prescribed concentration and programmed dose of a contrast media-related drug during a procedure. The interface allows the injector to physically alter the RFID label on a syringe once it is used, which can substantially reduce the probability of life-threatening air injections or air embolisms caused from using an empty, used syringe. It also helps reduce the potential for infection from cross-contamination by automatically preventing the injection of contents from a previously used RFID-labeled syringe in another patient exam. Covidien’s system also indicates if the drug in an RFID-labeled syringe is past its expiration date. Additionally, the system automatically transfers drug and achieved exam protocol information onto a printed label for the patient record, which reduces the need for manual data entry, thereby offering the potential to help increase efficiency and accuracy.
As the pioneer in prefilled syringes for contrast imaging, Covidien has assisted medical professionals by giving them tools to help reduce the risk of certain medication-dispensing and mislabeling errors that may occur when syringes are manually filled from multi-dose packaging. Additionally, RFID-enabled Ultraject prefilled contrast media syringes combined with the RFID-enabled Optivantage DH power injector help radiology facilities address Joint Commission (formerly known as JCAHO) and U.S. Pharmacopoeia 797 standards, which are aimed at ensuring compliance with labeling and unit-dose requirements, as well as the use of aseptic techniques.
Press release: Ground-breaking system helps reduce the risk of potentially life-threatening medical errors, infections in CT imaging procedures
Product page: OptiVantage DH…