Barcode Scanning Technology Research Articles

The Use of Scanner Data for Economics Research

The adoption of barcode scanning technology in the 1970s gave rise to a new form of data: scanner data. Soon afterwards, researchers began using this new resource, and since then a large number of papers have exploited scanner data. The data provide detailed price, quantity, and product characteristic information for completely disaggregate products at high frequency, and they typically track a panel of stores and/or consumers. Their availability has led to advances, inter alia, in the study of consumer demand, the measurement of market power, firms’ strategic interactions and decision making, the evaluation of policy reforms, and the measurement of price dispersion and inflation. In this article we highlight some of the pros and cons of this data source, and we discuss some of the ways its availability to researchers has transformed the economics literature.

Barcodes as Optical Marks for an Objective Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills in a Box Trainer.

Background/Need. The sensor-equipped box trainers can objectively evaluate psychomotor skills similar to virtual simulators. However, such box models are least of all involved in curricula in minimally invasive surgery, probably because of their complexity or high cost. This discrepancy prompted us to find a simple solution that provides an objective assessment of laparoscopic skills on any box trainer. Methodology and Device Description. We used QR code, Code 128, and Circular Code 128 as optical marks in tasks on box trainers. These were marks of errors and positive actions. Polyvinylchloride and a nontransparent silicone sheet served as materials for the tasks. All barcode images were printed with black ink on office paper. In addition, we have developed an app that allows dealing with selected types of barcodes. Preliminary results. We designed 6 tasks based on our approach. Every task provides a precision registration of time, errors, and correct actions, comparable with virtual simulators. However, only 4 tasks showed satisfactory results during face validity's obtaining. We found that primitive barcode scanning technology can provide an objective assessment of trainees on box trainers. The proposed approach is well suited for both commercial and custom box trainers. Current status. The research is currently underway to establish construct validity for the developed tasks. Besides, we intend to study features of other types of barcodes, such as Aztec Code, EAN-8, DataMatrix, and annular barcodes.

A mixed-method study of community pharmacy staff's use, perceptions and acceptance of barcode scanning technology: Pharmacy's experience of scanning technology

IntroductionIncreasing technology is a strategic goal within pharmacy to facilitate medicines’ dispensing. Barcode scanning technology (BST) is considered low cost and reliable with potential safety benefits. A barrier to BST implementation within hospital pharmacy includes staff resistance; however, few studies explore BST within community pharmacy. To address this, pharmacy staff's use, perceptions and acceptance of BST within Scottish community pharmacies were examined. MethodsCommunity pharmacies within Scotland using BST to scan medicines were identified using Twitter, eNewsletters and snowball sampling; 57 pharmacies were identified. Between May-Aug 2019, managers/owners participated in semi-structured interviews to explore BST use, and staff operating BST completed an online questionnaire to examine perceptions and acceptance. Interview data underwent content analysis and questionnaire data presented as medians (IQR). ResultsBST was used for various purposes, most commonly for dispensed item verification (n = 43 pharmacies) and to identify falsified medicines (n = 10 pharmacies). Twenty pharmacy managers/owners were interviewed which revealed multiple scanners and BST functionalities. Thirty-five participants from 16 pharmacies participated in the questionnaire. Staff considered BST as easy to use. There were positive perceptions and acceptance of BST for dispensed item verification, and negative perceptions and less acceptance of BST for identifying falsified medicines. DiscussionBST implementation was identified in a minority of Scotland's 1,254 community pharmacies, and greater effort may be needed to increase technology utilisation. The variation of BST use may affect safety due to increased complexity. BST's purpose may underpin staff perceptions and acceptance. Future studies should explore barriers and observe BST use in practice. Public interest summaryBarcode scanning technology (BST) may help pharmacy staff to dispense medicines safely. Hospital pharmacy staff have reported disliking using BST to scan medicines; however, no similar research has been carried out within community pharmacy. This study examined Scottish community pharmacies’ use of BST to scan medicines, and the pharmacy staff's views. Fifty-seven pharmacies were identified. BST was most commonly used to verify that the correct medicine was selected during dispensing (n = 43 pharmacies) and to identify ‘falsified medicines’ which were not safe to dispense (n = 10 pharmacies). Staff considered BST as easy to use, but were more positive and accepting of BST for verifying the correct medicine than for identifying falsified medicines. This suggests BST's purpose may underpin pharmacy staff perceptions and acceptance. A small number of pharmacies in Scotland used BST for this purpose, therefore more efforts may be needed to promote technology use.

Improving Utilization of Vaccine Two-Dimensional (2D) Barcode Scanning Technology Maximizes Accuracy Benefits.

Recording vaccine data accurately can be problematic in medical documentation, including blank and inaccurate records. Vaccine two-dimensional (2D) barcode scanning has shown promise, yet scanner use to record vaccine data is limited. We sought to identify strategies to improve scanning rates and assess changes in accuracy. Between January and June 2017, 27 pilot sites within a large health system were assigned to one of four groups to test strategies to maximize scanner use: training only, commitment card, scanning report, or combination. Seventy-two thousand vaccine records were assessed for completeness, accuracy, and scanning. Significant increases in vaccinator scanning rates found with commitment card and scanning report inclusion (alone and paired) compared with the training-only group. Record completeness and accuracy significantly improved with use of scanning. When manually entered, about 1 in 9 records had a missing or inaccurate expiration date; when scanned, this dropped to 1 in 5,000. Pilot findings indicate 2D scanning has the potential to eliminate most omissions and inaccuracies in vaccine records. Such data are critical during a recall or need to trace specific vaccines or patients. Consistent use and expanded adoption of 2D scanning can meaningfully improve the quality of vaccine records and clinical practices.

Design and Development of Inventory System Based on Barcode Scanning Technology

The inventory machine is a device for managing the use of goods. In order to achieve the high efficiency and accuracy of data collection, processing and transmission of goods on site, a system of inventory machine based on barcode scanning technology is designed and developed. The system uses Java as programming language and designs a reasonable barcode scanning recognition mechanism. The external interference factors affecting barcode recognition and the problem that dirty barcode cannot be recognized are studied. Digital image processing technology is added to the inventory machine system, which improves the scanning speed of the inventory machine and the correct rate of barcode recognition. Through on-site testing, the system being developed meets the requirements of the enterprise for the inventory machine, and can complete the inventory and settlement of goods information efficiently and accurately in a fixed time. Compared with the previous use of the inventory machine, the cost and manpower cost in barcode scanning time are greatly reduced.

The Effect of Performance Transparency on Adherence to Barcode Scanning During Order Preparation in an Adult Inpatient Satellite Pharmacy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of performance transparency and individualized feedback on pharmacy technician compliance with barcode verification technology during inpatient order preparation. Methods: Following the incorporation of barcode scanning technology into the workflow of pharmacy staff, a multiphasic intervention was employed to promote its use. The intervention included verbal feedback and publically posting performance metrics to increase accountability. An interrupted time-series analysis was conducted to ascertain trends and levels in the percent of orders that were dispensed using barcode verification, before and after the study intervention. Analyses were conducted by shift and overall for pharmacy workers in a single satellite pharmacy. Results: A significant increase in percent scanned orders was observed immediately following the intervention in our analysis of all pharmacy workers (+14.4%; P = .045; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.35-28.4). In the analysis of each shift, statistically significant increases in percent scanned orders were observed immediately following the intervention for both the evening shift (+5.1%; P = .024; 95% CI: 0.70-9.6) and the night shift (+29.9%; P = .025; 95% CI: 3.9-55.9), but not the day shift (+2.6; P = .707; 95% CI: -11.1 to 16.2). Conclusion: Increasing transparency of individual and team performance metrics in conjunction with targeted feedback is an effective intervention to improve compliance with barcode scanning technology.

Experience and Compliance With Scanning Vaccines' Two-Dimensional Barcodes to Record Data.

Automated population of data into health information system fields offers the potential to increase efficiencies and save time. Increasingly, as two-dimensional barcoded vaccine products and barcode scanning technology become more widely available, manual recording of vaccine data can be reduced. This evaluation explores how often two-dimensional barcodes on vaccine vials and syringes were scanned and the perceived benefits and challenges reported by vaccine providers. Eighty-two facilities that administer vaccines completed the evaluation. Twenty-seven of those facilities provided records from vaccines administered between July 2014 and January 2015. Among the 63 179 two-dimensional barcoded vaccine administrations recorded, 12 408 (19%) were scanned. We received 116 user surveys from 63 facilities; using content analysis, we identified perceived benefits of scanning, workflow challenges, scanning challenges, and other challenges. The findings of this evaluation can guide health information system developers, vaccine manufacturers, and vaccine providers on how to remove potential barriers to using two-dimensional barcode scanning.

Parenteral product error detection before and after implementation of intravenous workflow management technology.

To assess the difference in pharmacy error detection rates when using a manual process compared to an intravenous workflow management system for the preparation of parenteral medications. Baseline error data were collected by staff using a standard form over a four-day time period before intravenous workflow management system implementation and compared to 48 weeks of electronically collected data following implementation. The chi-square test was used for statistical comparisons. The ability to detect an error during the intravenous preparation process increased immediately following implementation, but this difference was not sustained and was not statistically different when the entire post-implementation time period was compared to the baseline sample. The most prevalent errors at baseline were wrong drug amount (36.4%) and wrong base solution (22.7%). Post-implementation product expiration (26.1%), wrong diluent or base (17.9%), and wrong drug amount (19.2%) were the most prevalent errors. Barcode scanning technology detected 60% of the errors during the post-implementation period. A decrease in error detection over time was observed post-implementation and was attributed to corrections and additions to the intravenous workflow management library and better prospective identification of potential errors by staff as they adjusted to the system. The use of serial imaging enabled pharmacists to detect errors prospectively, which may have previously been undetected using the traditional intravenous preparation process. The implementation of intravenous workflow management technology was unable to detect a statistically significant greater percentage of sterile product preparation errors compared with the baseline time period. Statistical significance was achieved during three of the first four months following implementation ( P < 0.05); however, this statistically significant increase was not maintained when the entire post-implementation sample was included.

The Design Method of a Portable Wireless Terminal for the Fuel’s Quality Inspection of Biomass Power Plant

With the rapid development of social economy and people’s increasingly demand of quality of life , more and more biomass power plants have been built in China recently because they can take advantage of the renewable resources and greatly reduce air pollution. The present pattern of biomass fuel quality inspecting in procurement can’t meet the requirements of the modern biomass power plant information system which means that the quality inspector writes the name, class and impurities of fuel by hand in the unloading site and input those data into information system after returning office. In order to solve this problem, this paper introduces a novel design method of a portable wireless terminal based on android operation system integrated GPRS, bar-code scanning and camera technology which can input and save data on time by communicating with remote server through the wireless network or internet. The portable wireless terminal can be used as a part of the whole power plant information management system which will not only greatly reduce the quality inspector’s labor intensity and improve the efficiency and accuracy but also improve the level of automation management of the whole biomass power plants.

Evaluation of scanning 2D barcoded vaccines to improve data accuracy of vaccines administered

Background and objectiveAccurately recording vaccine lot number, expiration date, and product identifiers, in patient records is an important step in improving supply chain management and patient safety in the event of a recall. These data are being encoded on two-dimensional (2D) barcodes on most vaccine vials and syringes. Using electronic vaccine administration records, we evaluated the accuracy of lot number and expiration date entered using 2D barcode scanning compared to traditional manual or drop-down list entry methods. MethodsWe analyzed 128,573 electronic records of vaccines administered at 32 facilities. We compared the accuracy of records entered using 2D barcode scanning with those entered using traditional methods using chi-square tests and multilevel logistic regression. ResultsWhen 2D barcodes were scanned, lot number data accuracy was 1.8 percentage points higher (94.3–96.1%, P<0.001) and expiration date data accuracy was 11 percentage points higher (84.8–95.8%, P<0.001) compared with traditional methods. In multivariate analysis, lot number was more likely to be accurate (aOR=1.75; 99% CI, 1.57–1.96) as was expiration date (aOR=2.39; 99% CI, 2.12–2.68). When controlling for scanning and other factors, manufacturer, month vaccine was administered, and vaccine type were associated with variation in accuracy for both lot number and expiration date. ConclusionTwo-dimensional barcode scanning shows promise for improving data accuracy of vaccine lot number and expiration date records. Adapting systems to further integrate with 2D barcoding could help increase adoption of 2D barcode scanning technology.

The integration of barcode scanning technology into Canadian public health immunization settings

BackgroundAs part of a series of feasibility studies following the development of Canadian vaccine barcode standards, we compared barcode scanning with manual methods for entering vaccine data into electronic client immunization records in public health settings. MethodsTwo software vendors incorporated barcode scanning functionality into their systems so that Algoma Public Health (APH) in Ontario and four First Nations (FN) communities in Alberta could participate in our study. We compared the recording of client immunization data (vaccine name, lot number, expiry date) using barcode scanning of vaccine vials vs. pre-existing methods of entering vaccine information into the systems. We employed time and motion methodology to evaluate time required for data recording, record audits to assess data quality, and qualitative analysis of immunization staff interviews to gauge user perceptions. ResultsWe conducted both studies between July and November 2012, with 628 (282 barcoded) vials processed for the APH study, and 749 (408 barcoded) vials for the study in FN communities. Barcode scanning led to significantly fewer immunization record errors than using drop-down menus (APH study: 0% vs. 1.7%; p=0.04) or typing in vaccine data (FN study: 0% vs. 5.6%; p<0.001). There was no significant difference in time to enter vaccine data between scanning and using drop-down menus (27.6s vs. 26.3s; p=0.39), but scanning was significantly faster than typing data into the record (30.3s vs. 41.3s; p<0.001). Seventeen immunization nurses were interviewed; all noted improved record accuracy with scanning, but the majority felt that a more sensitive scanner was needed to reduce the occasional failures to read the 2D barcodes on some vaccines. ConclusionEntering vaccine data into immunization records through barcode scanning led to improved data quality, and was generally well received. Further work is needed to improve barcode readability, particularly for unit-dose vials.

Exploring the feasibility of integrating barcode scanning technology into vaccine inventory recording in seasonal influenza vaccination clinics

In response to the need for improved quality of vaccine inventory and client immunization records, barcodes containing a unique identifier and lot number will be placed on all vaccine vials in Canada. We conducted feasibility studies to examine integration of barcode scanning into inventory recording workflow for mass immunization clinics. During the 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccination campaign, Ontario public health units (PHUs) using an electronic immunization system were randomized to record clinic inventory data (including vaccine lot number and expiry date) through: (i) barcode scanning of vials; or (ii) drop-down menus. A third group of PHUs recording vaccine inventory on paper served as an observation arm. We visited a sample of clinics within each PHU to assess barcode readability, method efficiency and data quality. Clinic staff completed a survey examining method perceptions. We observed 20 clinics using barcode scanning to record inventory data (eight PHUs), 20 using drop-down menus (eight PHUs), and 21 using paper forms (five PHUs). Mean time spent recording data per vial was 4.3s using barcode scanners with 1.3 scan attempts per vial, 0.5s using drop-down menus, and 1.7s using paper. Few errors were observed. Sixty-four perception surveys were completed by inventory staff; barcode scanning users indicated fairly strong overall satisfaction with the method (74%), and the majority agreed that barcode scanning improved client safety (84%) and inventory record accuracy (77%). However, 38% of barcode scanning users felt that individually scanning vials took longer than the other approaches and 26% indicated that this increased time would discourage them from adopting the method. Our study demonstrated good readability of barcodes but scanning individual vials for high-volume clinics was time-consuming; modifying the process will improve feasibility to facilitate adoption in Canada, while serving as an example for other countries considering this technology.

Assessing the home food environment nutrient supply using mobile barcode (Universal Product Code) scanning technology

PurposeMobile Universal Product Code (UPC), or barcode, scanning technology provides an efficient, accurate and comprehensive method for conducting home food inventories intended to describe the household's nutrient supply. However, heretofore this technology has had limited use in research because of equipment and software complexities. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to describe a data collection system that overcame these complexities.Design/methodology/approachA data collection system was developed that utilized off‐the‐shelf barcode scanners and laptop computers running commercial diet analysis software modified to use two large databases linking UPCs with nutrient data in addition to usual data sources (e.g. USDA Standard Reference). This system was designed for use at the data collection site to ensure 100 percent verification that scanned UPCs on food packages matched database foods and make corrections as needed. This system also permitted researchers to capture the presence of foods lacking standard UPCs (e.g. fresh produce) using a keyword search. To ensure that all data were collected uniformly and new foods not in the original database were added to the database in the same fashion, a protocol flowchart consisting of a series of branching “yes/no” questions was developed and applied to each food of interest in the household.FindingsThe system was used to conduct household food inventories of 160 families with widely varying socioeconomic strata and races/ethnicities. Households had between 13 and 389 foods on hand, the vast majority of which were identified by standard UPCs. The average inventory took approximately two hours. Study participants expressed interest in the data collection method and were very cooperative.Practical implicationsHome food inventories conducted by researchers are objective and help minimize reporting errors and social desirability bias; however, the cost (e.g. researcher time, equipment, software, and database licensing) of conducting home food inventories, even using mobile UPC scanning technology, is important to consider. To improve access to databases linking UPCs and nutrients, collaborative links between researchers and industry are needed.Originality/valueThis paper is among the first to demonstrate the feasibility of using mobile barcode scanning technology to conduct home food inventories on a large‐scale basis and solve the technical problems associated with this data collection methodology.

Utilizing an Electronic Health Record System to Improve Vaccination Coverage in Children

Electronic Health Records (EHR) are widely believed to improve quality of care and effectiveness of service delivery. Use of EHR to improve childhood immunization rates has not been fully explored in an ambulatory setting. To describe a pediatric practice's use of Electronic Health Records (EHR) in improving childhood immunization. A multi-faceted EHR-based quality improvement initiative used electronic templates with pre-loaded immunization records, automatic diagnosis coding, and EHR alerts of missing or delayed vaccinations. An electronic patient tracking system was created to identify patients with missing vaccines. Barcode scanning technology was introduced to aid speed and accuracy of documentation of administered vaccines. Electronic reporting to a local health department immunization registry facilitated ordering of vaccines. Immunization completion rates captured in monthly patient reports showed a rise in the percentage of children receiving the recommended series of vaccination (65% to 76%) (p<0.000). Barcode technology reduced the time of immunization documentation (86 seconds to 26 seconds) (p<0.000). Use of barcode scanning showed increased accuracy of documentation of vaccine lot numbers (from 95% to 100%) (p<0.000). EHR-based quality improvement interventions were successfully implemented at a community health center. EHR systems have versatility in their ability to track patients in need of vaccines, identify patients who are delayed, facilitate ordering and coding of multiple vaccines and promote interdisciplinary communication among personnel involved in the vaccination process. EHR systems can be used to improve childhood vaccination rates.

Utilizing the Quick Response (QR) Code within a Japanese EFL environment

Within Japan almost all mobile camera phones are equipped with two-dimensional barcode scanning technology as a standard feature. Consequently, QR (Quick Response) codes are now widespread throughout Japan as a means of product identification and advertising. Despite this, their implementation into public and private educational settings has been relatively slow due to the traditional exclusion of the mobile phone from the language learning classroom. This paper describes an investigatory project which attempts to introduce three specific examples of basic QR code-driven activities into a Japanese university English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom. The paper proposes that the merger of the mobile phone and the QR code be considered a productive way forward in achieving a semi-ubiquitous computing environment. The attitudes of 132 students toward mobile phone and QR code usage are discussed along with the advantages and disadvantages surrounding the implementation of such projects.

Bar-code medication administration: A systems perspective

In 1994, inspiration came to a nurse from the Colmery-O’Neil Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Topeka, Kansas. She noticed the bar code that a rental car company used to track vehicles and surmised that similarly applied bar-code scanning technology could enhance patient safety by reducing medication errors through a series of electronic checks and balances that would augment, but not replace, a nurse’s clinical judgment. A prototype system was developed at the Colmery-O’Neil VAMC and later became the model for the award-winning bar-code medication administration (BCMA) system used throughout the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system beginning in 1999. By 2003, throughout the VA health care system, all inpatient care areas were consistently using positive patient identification at the point of care to document activities associated with medication administration through the use of BCMA. VA administers over 600,000 medication doses daily through BCMA. Over 1 billion doses have been administered in the VA health system since 1999 through the automated monitoring system.

A simulation study of automating parcel sorting in postal industry

This paper discusses results of a simulation study conducted in a Post Office Processing and Distribution Centre in Massachusetts. The Centre is responsible for sorting all outgoing mail and parcels for assigned Post Office collection centres. The United States Postal Service (USPS) faces a decision on the future deployment of its Small Parcel and Bundle Sorter (SPBS) machines. These machines mechanise parcel sorting but are dependent on manual data entry. Though manual data entry is robust, it is suspected to create a processing bottleneck in parcel sorting. An alternative is to automate these machines with bar code scanning technology. However, there is no large-scale experimental study on automating parcel sorting process with bar code technology. This study simulated the consequences of replacing manual-keying processes with bar code technology in the existing parcel sorting process. We based the model on operational data and configurations gathered from the Centre. The results reveal that bar code technology can significantly reduce parcel sorting cost and time, as well as significantly increase sorting capacity.

Loader Lite: a new software tool for the ABI PRISM 3700 DNA sequencer.

Here we describe the development of a novel software tool entitled Loader Lite that generates plate records or sample sheetsfor the ABI PRISMs 3700 DNA sequencer. The major advantage of this program is that it enables the ongoing operation of sequencing instruments without reference to external network(s). The autonomous operation of sequencing instruments is critical if sample throughput is to be maintained during periods of network outage. Loader Lite employs a deliberate strategy of inputting anonymous tray barcodes at run time. After sequencing, the barcodes are reconciled with relevant project details by reference to a database. This software takes advantage of barcode scanning technology by creating plate records directly on the local computer, serving an individual sequencer, immediately before importing and linking. This real-time synthesis of the plate records at the point of loading all but eliminates loading errors. Loader Lite is user-friendly, fully configurable, and permits the running of partial or full 384-well sample trays, using any standard combinations of run modules, dye sets, mobility files, analysis modules, etc. The 96-well format is not supported; however, this capability will appear in subsequent versions that are currently under development. This application is designed as an added value, adjunct program to the regular ABI PRISM 3700 Data Collection software. We have successfully used Loader Lite over the past six months to load approximately 7 million sequencing reactions and believe its utility and functionality will prove to be attractive to the wider sequencing community.