Standard Register launches world's first anti-microbial laser wristband for patient identification

Long recognized for its patient identification leadership, Standard Register (NYSE:SR) Healthcare today unveiled the world's first anti-microbial laser wristband for patient identification at the Healthcare Information Management System Society's (HIMSS) Annual Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, FL. The innovative PurBand™ wristband was developed to help hospitals combat MRSA, e-Coli and P. aeruginosa bacteria that can lead to hospital-associated infections (HAI).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one out of every 20 hospitalized patients will contract a HAI. The agency estimates two million patients get a hospital-related infection each year. It reports the infections, which are caused by a wide variety of bacteria, fungi and viruses, can be devastating and deadly.

The PurBand patient wristband is treated with an anti-microbial coating that helps hospitals greatly reduce bacteria that comes into contact with the wristband, according to John Parmley, director, Patient Identification and Safety Programs for Standard Register Healthcare. Independent laboratory tests demonstrated PurBand reduces MRSA and P. aeruginosa by over 94 percent within 24 hours, and e-Coli by over 72 percent within 24 hours. All three bacteria are reduced by 99 percent within 72 hours, which is beyond the duration of the average patient's stay, Parmley reported.

"Despite a focused effort by healthcare providers, these bacteria are prevalent on surfaces throughout the hospital. It really takes a comprehensive program to combat their spread," Parmley observed. "As a primary means of patient identification the wristband is repeatedly touched and referenced throughout a patient's stay. An anti-microbial wristband offers one more means of reducing the risk of hospital-acquired infections," he said.

Standard Register Healthcare is providing samples of the PurBand™ laser wristband in booth 2045 at HIMSS. The industry-leading product is being presented in conjunction with the company's SMARTworks® Clinical Enterprise which facilitates automatic generation of wristbands and documentation with patient demographics, photos and bar codes for positive patient identification.