News | August 15, 2008

P3 Medical Ltd. Wins Contract To Provide Precision Dynamics Wristbands To NHS Hospitals

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In a move to improve patient safety throughout hospitals in England and Wales, the National Health Service Supply Chain (NHSSC) has awarded P3 Medical Ltd. (P3) a multi-year contract to provide patient identification wristbands to the NHS hospitals. Under the contract, P3 will distribute positive patient identification wristbands from Precision Dynamics Corporation (PDC). As the global leader in automatic identification wristbands, PDC pioneered the first bar code patient wristband system in 1984 and offers the most complete line of automated wristband solutions worldwide, including bar code laser printer, thermal printer, and RFID.

The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA), a division of the National Health Service (NHS), published reports in July of 2007 showing a high proportion of adverse patient safety incidences were linked to the absence and/or incorrect information on patient ID wristbands. The NPSA then issued a directive for the NHS hospitals to begin standardizing wristbands and link them to their IT systems by 2009. In response, the NHSSC awarded contracts to eight suppliers to provide patient ID wristbands to the NHS hospitals and P3 Medical Ltd. was among them.

"P3 is very pleased to have been awarded this important contract by the NHS Supply Chain, especially in view of the rapid development to standardize wristbands, making patient safety the highest priority," said Simon Talbot of P3 Medical Ltd. "In the UK, PDC's write-on wristbands are already being used by more hospitals than any other. And around the world, their automatic positive patient ID systems have been the cornerstone of the most successful patient safety initiatives at hospitals for over 50 years. We certainly join the NHS in helping to drive this patient safety initiative to improve patient outcomes and help protect lives."

Talbot said that while the vast majority of hospitals in the UK currently use handwritten bands, he's encouraged to finally see the shift toward automated technologies to prevent medical errors. "Hospitals prefer the PDC systems for their ability to meet patient safety needs," continues Talbot. "They meet the NHSSC contract needs for both human readable (handwritten) and more advanced (bar code & RFID) wristbands. No other company offers the quality, breadth and scope of patient wristband solutions like PDC."

On the contract are PDC's bar code positive patient ID wristband solutions featuring direct thermal bands offered with a choice of plastic snap or adhesive closures for maximum patient security and comfort. Their bar code systems protect important patient information under its clear adhesive pockets or shields. Many PDC bar code wristband solutions offer a special outer coating for crisp printing and the superior ability to scan bar coded information clearly.

Also on the contract are PDC Infant and Adult/Pediatric Sentry® SuperBand®, which are already used by the majority of hospitals in the UK. "Hospitals prefer Sentry® SuperBand® for its versatility and ease of use in providing patient identification," said Talbot. Constructed of lightweight non-stretch polyester with a secure snap closure, Sentry® SuperBand® features a patented ClearImage® surface that protects handwritten and embossed/imprinter information. PDC developed the first imprinter style wristband in 1982.

Throughout the multi-year contract, P3 will deliver many of PDC's positive patient wristband ID solutions from write-on to bar code to RFID. These PDC solutions will ensure positive patient identification conducive to the NHS Hospitals patient safety goals.

For more information contact P3 Medical Ltd. at: Tel: +44 (0)117 972 8888; Fax: +44 (0)117 972 4863, info@p3-medical.com or visit: http://www.p3-medical.com/index.htm.

About P3 Medical Ltd.

P3 Medical is a privately owned company specializing in high quality and cost-effective medical devices for use by healthcare professionals in hospitals and similar healthcare settings. Established in 2001, P3 Medical is a young and fast growing company led by a team with many years of experience in serving hospitals worldwide. P3 Medical works closely with clinicians and other healthcare professionals to develop its products and provide solutions for optimum efficiency and patient care. P3 manufactures a range of medical and surgical products in two UK factories, based in Bristol and Preston.

P3 manufactured products are distributed throughout the world and include single-use devices for Anaesthesia and a comprehensive range of Sterile Equipment Drapes and Covers, together with a number of Essential Surgical Accessories. All of P3 Medical devices comply with the requirements of the Medical Device Directive and the company operates a quality management system to ISO9001 and ISO13495. In addition to manufacturing and distributing its own products, the company works as UK Distributor to a number of leading medical device manufacturers. For more information contact P3 Medical Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)117 972 8888; or visit: http://www.p3-medical.com/index.htm.

About PDC ... Your Partner in Patient Safety™

For over 50 years, PDC has been the pioneer in patient safety through positive identification systems and other healthcare products. The company delivers quality wristband solutions that help protect millions of patients against medical errors, while preventing millions more in associated costs. PDC developed the first single-piece patient wristband, the first bar code wristband system, and the first Smart Band® RFID wristband system. For more information on PDC's Healthcare products, visit: www.pdcorp.com/healthcare.

PDC also produces wristband systems for the leisure and entertainment and law enforcement markets, including non-transferable VIP Band® wristbands in multiple colors and materials, and advanced Smart Band® RFID wristbands for cashless point of sale, keyless door entry, and access control and security. The company is committed to 100% quality in service, design, and manufacturing and has ISO-9001: 2000 and ISO-13485: 2003 certification. For more information, visit www.pdcorp.com.

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