Mercy Fitzgerald Leveraging Technology for Patient Safety

Continually looking for ways to improve patient safety, Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, a 218-bed, acute care, community teaching hospital in Darby, Pennsylvania, implemented Standard Register’s Picture Capture application to enable registrars in admissions, ER and their wellness center to take digital photographs of incoming patients and integrate them onto patient ID wristbands and chart face sheets. 

New Level of Safety
The hospital believes Picture Capture takes patient safety to a new level.  “The benefits to both patients and the hospital are tremendous,” asserts Monica Skrocki, director of patient access at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital.  “By placing the patient photo on the ID bracelet, positive patient identification is always assured. It helps ensure patient safety, helps reduce risk and liability, improves patient satisfaction and reduces operating costs.”

Support for JCAHO
According to Ms. Skrocki, the addition of photos also helps Mercy Fitzgerald meet stringent JCAHO Patient Safety Standards which require hospitals to improve patient identification whenever taking specimens, administering transfusions or medications.  The hospital integrates the patient’s name, date of birth and a bar code on the ID bracelet along with the photos to provide a multi-level approach to patient identification and safety.

Broad Acceptance
The technology has been well received.  It’s simple for staff and patients alike. Pictures are automatically captured at the registration terminal and immediately output on the patient’s ID and designated forms. Though patients may decline to have their photo taken, Skrocki reports most patients appreciate and welcome it.

“Patients think it’s a great use of technology, but most importantly, it gives them an extra measure of security,” she says.

Safety on Wheels
Implemented in September 2006, Mercy Fitzgerald now plans to put this patient safety solution on wheels!  With a laptop and cart, their staff will be able to take photos in ER patient rooms.

Picture Capture is part of the SMARTworks® Clinical Enterprise, a family of document management software and services designed by Standard Register to support healthcare providers in automating and managing their admissions, clinical and business processes.  Though patient safety and satisfaction were the driving reasons behind Mercy Fitzgerald’s Picture Capture implementation, the application also helps deter insurance fraud and reduce operating expense.

For more information about establishing positive patient identification and your automating document management processes, contact us now.