CareScan+ system tracks ventilators at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust

Barcodes used to help fight COVID-19

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has adapted its CareScan+ digital system to track medical equipment and enhance patient safety during the pandemic.

By The Tees Editorial Desk · 12 May 2020

Healthcare worker using a barcode scanner on medical equipment Image: Image: North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation TrustOriginal source

Need something explained?Tap a highlighted word, phrase or concept, or select any part of the article and choose Explain this.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has expanded its digital scanning system, CareScan+, to manage the location and status of non-invasive ventilators across its hospitals. The system, which was developed internally, allows clinicians to update equipment status using handheld devices in under 30 seconds.

The software provides a real-time dashboard accessible via the Trust intranet, showing exactly where equipment is located and whether it is in use, awaiting cleaning, or undergoing repair. This capability was within a week to meet urgent demands created by the pandemic.

CareScan+ was originally trialled in 2019 to monitor surgical implants like hip and knee joints. By scanning items, staff can ensure products are within their expiry date and manage supplier recalls, with the system providing alerts if an issue is detected during the scan.

The system uses unique barcodes for patients, staff, and medical supplies. When a scan is performed, the software displays decision-support advice on screen and alerts the user through haptic feedback if a product requires checking.

Archive : This story is based on reporting originally published by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust on 2020-05-12. The original source image has been and credited.