Data from the direct observational studies is now complete for 10 of 46IntelliDOT customer hospitals that participated in studies between June2004 and September 2008. Initial data based on 2,389 medicationadministration observations reveals that serious five rights-relatedmedication errors were reduced from 39 incidents prior to theimplementation of IntelliDOT BMA to zero when follow-up observations wereconducted 60 days after implementation. Serious errors are defined to bethe administration of the wrong medication or the wrong dose, oradministration to the wrong patient. In addition, incidents of patients notproperly identified per hospital policy were reduced from 1,792 (75percent) to zero as a result of IntelliDOT System barcode scans ofwristbands to identify patients at the bedside before giving medication.

The IntelliDOT customer studies incorporate a similar methodology used inthe healthcare industry's well-known 2002 report, "Medication Errors Observed in 36Health Care Facilities," by KN Barker, EA Flynn, GA Pepper, DW Bates,and RL Mikeal, and published in the September 9, 2002, American Archives ofInternal Medicine.

"The 'Medication Errors Observed in 36 Health Care Facilities' study basedfindings on one nurse observer and 50 medication passes at each hospital,"said Vicki D. McKendrick, RN, Executive Director and Chief Nursing Officerat IntelliDOT. "IntelliDOT is using a similar methodology, but we'relooking at a much larger sample of medication passes and nurses based overmultiple shifts. The results prove over and over again that a nurse-centricBPOC system, when used consistently by nurses, can eliminate 100 percent ofserious medication administration errors."

IntelliDOT worked with each hospital to conduct pre- andpost-implementation studies of medication errors in order to establishbaseline performance measures and validate subsequent performanceimprovement. At each facility, two registered nurses with extensivetraining in observational study methodology observed 250 medicationadministration events in each phase of the study(1), before and 60 daysafter the implementation of the IntelliDOT BPOC System. Eachobserver worked with multiple nurses throughout his or her shift. Between20 and 30 nurses at each hospital were observed in the IntelliDOT customerstudies.

Using a methodology similar Barker et al in "Medication Errors Observed in36 Health Care Facilities," the observers recorded a coded patientidentifier, drug product, the dose, dose form, route of administration,time of administration, patient identification method(s), andmedication-related procedures as specified by individual hospital policysuch as taking medication specific vital signs or obtaining an additionalwitness for high alert medications. Prior to the medication pass, theycompared each dose with the original medication order on the currentmedication administration record (MAR). In the cases of wrong patient,wrong drug, or wrong dose, the observer stopped the nurse from continuingwith the administration to prevent potential harm to the patient. Followingthe medication pass, they compared each dose administered as written by theprescribing physician in the patient's chart. If there is a difference, theerror is described and categorized. One hour following the end of eachshift, the observers checked the MARs for documentation of clinicalobservations as required by hospital policy.

"At one of the participating hospitals, two near misses were detected andaverted by the use of the IntelliDOT System during the post-implementationobservation," McKendrick said. "A nurse attempted to administer amedication at 9 a.m. when it was supposed to be given at 9 p.m. Also, theIntelliDOT System prevented a nurse from administering an oral chemotherapydrug instead of a vitamin, averting a very serious mistake. Thisillustrates that barcode point-of-care systems can eliminate both timingand more serious errors involving the wrong drug, both of which wereclassified as 'potentially harmful' to the patient.

"It is interesting to note that pre-implementation results for theIntelliDOT studies echoed those found in the 'Medication Errors Observed in36 Health Care Facilities' study," said McKendrick. "Despite the widespreadavailability of BPOC solutions, there still is much work to be done in theongoing quest for safer patient care."

The IntelliDOT System is abest-of-breed wireless, workflow manager that connects caregivers with theinformation systems they need at the point-of-care. Designed by nurses fornurses, the IntelliDOT System enables clinicians to perform safety checksand safely administer and document medications at the bedside using alightweight, handheld device. The IntelliDOT System satisfies JointCommission standards for patient identification and assures accuracy byverifying the five rights ofmedication administration: right medication, right dose, right route,right patient, right time; as well as ensuring required follow-updocumentation, such as pain scale, is performed in a timely manner andaccurately recorded.

About IntelliDOT® Corporation

IntelliDOT is a leading provider of wireless, handheld, barcodepoint-of-care (BPOC) solutions that connect to any healthcare informationsystem to improve patient safety and nurse workflow. When using theIntelliDOT system, nurses can easily manage all tasks associated withfive-rights medication administration safety checks and relateddocumentation. Additional system modules that run on the same handhelddevice include: IntelliDOTPhlebotomy Specimen Collection(TM), IntelliDOT Blood ProductAdministration(TM), IntelliDOTMother-Baby Breast Milk Matching(TM), and IntelliDOT Vital SignsCollection(TM). IntelliDOT was founded in 2002 and is headquartered inSan Diego. More information can be found at www.intellidotcorp.com.

Except for the historical information contained herein, this news releasecontains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties,including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated withmarket acceptance of the CAREt System, whether the company will besuccessful in raising additional funds, the risk that sales of the CAREtSystem will not increase to target levels, and the effectiveness andmarketability of healthcare information technologies, as well as otherrisks.

IntelliDOT and CAREt are registered trademarks of IntelliDOT Corporation.Other product and company names in this news release are trademarks and/orregistered trademarks of their respective companies.

(1) 250 medication administration events were observed at 9 hospitals and139 were observed at one hospital

Add to Digg Bookmark with del.icio.us Add to Newsvine

Media & Analyst Contact:Michael E. DonnerIntelliDOT Corporation+1 (858) 746 3104mdonner@intellidotcorp.com