Healthcare Technology Featured Article

September 11, 2013

MHA Consolidates Contracts with PDC Healthcare to Improve Patient Identification


The World Health Organization (WHO) states that patient misidentification can result in wrong person procedures, transfusion errors, testing errors, medication errors and the discharge of infants to the wrong families. While hospitals and medical clinics may have strict identification protocols, alternative site facilities often need better patient ID tools and training.

Managed Health Care Associates, Inc., (MHA) helps alternative site healthcare providers such as home health agencies, birthing centers, ambulatory surgery centers and outpatient mental health professionals to deliver optimum care in a cost-effective manner.

To improve ID solutions for alternative care sites, MHA has consolidated three contracts with PDC Healthcare into a single three-year contract that will expire on September 30, 2016. MHA's 11,000 members now have access to PDC Healthcare's patient ID products.

PDC Healthcare was created by a merger between The St. John Companies and the Precision Dynamics Corporation (PDC). Their patient ID solutions include products related to medical imaging ID, labor and delivery ID, product labels, skin markers and body ID and containment.

Products from PDC Healthcare are designed to promote compliance with regulations including FDA patient identification requirements, CMS Stage 2 Meaningful Use Requirements and Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals.

In a simulated medical setting profiled in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, only 61 percent of healthcare professionals caught identity errors. Seventy-four percent of workers failed to match patients to their identity bands, and 39 percent performed incorrect procedures on simulated patients as a result.

In addition to causing medical errors, poor ID solutions can perpetuate incorrect identifying information throughout a patient's medical record in linked computers and between linked institutions. Additionally, poor ID protocols can compromise private patient information and patient confidentiality.

Thanks to their contract with MHA, PDC Healthcare can function as a preferred supplier for MHA's alternate site partners. According to PDC Healthcare president Tracey Carpentier, their products prevent errors and enhance patient safety.

"PDC Healthcare is delighted to continue our relationship with MHA by offering our patient ID products to MHA's members at discounted rates," said Carpentier.




Edited by Alisen Downey
Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. [Free eNews Subscription]




SHARE THIS ARTICLE



FREE eNewsletter

Click here to receive your targeted Healthcare Technology Community eNewsletter.
[Subscribe Now]