Autros Healthcare Solutions, a worldwide wireless point-of-care software solutions provider, announces that Southend Hospital in Essex, United Kingdom, will become the nation's first to install patient wireless barcode technology. Developed by Toronto-based Autros, and distributed throughout the U.K. by Medichain, this software system is currently being installed in hospitals worldwide as a means to track and monitor patient drug orders and ultimately eliminate medication errors.

Medical errors have become a global focus since the release of the 1999 Institute of Medicine Report stating that between 44,000 and 98,000 people die each year in the United States from medical errors. Autros has seen orders for their barcode technology increase exponentially worldwide in reaction to this report.

"Right now our systems are being installed in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom," says Autros chairman and CEO Norman Paul. "There is a global momentum to eradicate medication errors and improve the quality of care that facilities provide and patients demand. We have multiple orders pending in point-of-care facilities worldwide and we continue to increase our staff to keep up with this demand."

Using the Autros computerised system, physicians can order prescriptions, IVs and TPNs using a wireless digital device similar to a Palm Pilot. The program automatically checks for drug interactions, correct dosage and other possible errors, then instantly transmits this vital data in real time to the hospital pharmacy, hospital nursing unit, home care unit or clinic.

Using a handheld scanning device, the nurse accesses the electronic medication records database, scans the barcoded medication and the patient's barcoded ID bracelet to confirm the right medication, dosage and time, as well as the correct route of administration, before administering any drugs.

Medical and administrative records are then automatically updated, eliminating time-consuming paperwork. Not only are patients better cared for with this real-time monitoring system, hospitals will control costs, decrease paperwork, improve record keeping and supply management.

"The optimal way to care for and administer drugs to a hospitalised patient is to bring all healthcare professionals-physicians, pharmacists and nurses-to the patient's bedside together. In effect, Autros does just that," said Paul.