Patewood Memorial Hospital Increases Workflow Efficiency and Charge Capture in Surgical Suites With Omnicell OptiFlex(TM) SS

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and GREENVILLE, S.C., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Omnicell, Inc., a leading provider of system solutions to acute healthcare facilities, and Patewood Memorial Hospital, a part of the Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center (GHS), today announced that Patewood has installed Omnicell OptiFlex(TM) SS systems for use in the hospital’s state-of-the-art digital surgical suites. With use of this automated physician preference card and perpetual inventory management system, Patewood Memorial is maximizing workflow efficiency, increasing productivity for both materials management and staff, plus decreasing inventory carrying costs.

“Thanks to the new Omnicell OptiFlex SS system, with the single swipe of a barcoded physician preference card we are able to track materials used in the surgeries themselves, automatically pull just-in-time replacement materials from our distribution center and track costs so that each case is appropriately charged,” said Geoff Hibbert, OR manager at Patewood Memorial Hospital. “Prior to installing the Omnicell system, inventory wasn’t readily available as a result of inconsistent replenishing processes.”

Patewood Memorial chose to have a hybrid system of open shelving and closed secure cabinets for added flexibility and to bolster the automation process for improved overall inventory accuracy. The hospital uses closed cabinets in the actual OR suites providing additional security of inventory high-dollar items such as consigned implants. Materials management also picks supplies from open shelving in their supply area, giving them quick access to materials. Whether pulling items from open shelves or closed cabinets, OptiFlex SS barcoded preference cards drive the process and accurately track the utilization and charges it to a specific patient case.

“One of the key benefits to Omnicell OptiFlex SS is that the physician preference card system becomes completely automated and can be electronically viewed in the OR suite,” said Suzanne Alexander-Vaughn, product manager, Omnicell Supply. “Items can be easily taken or added from either open or closed cabinets with a simple barcode scan or by the touch of a screen. Not only are the supplies automatically accounted for and re-ordered if necessary, they are tracked back to a specific patient case. What our customers like most is that they rarely run out of anything.”

Another significant improvement for Patewood Memorial was realized in knowing exactly what costs were being incurred in each OR case. By recording supply usage based on each patient case and by interfacing directly with the billing system, OptiFlex SS enables Patewood Memorial to consistently, effectively and accurately charge for product usage. Accuracy of this system is contingent upon a strong and enforced vendor policy, which imposes a logical, well-defined process that controls vendor access and introduction of new products.

About Omnicell

Omnicell, Inc. is a leading provider of systems targeting patient safety and operational efficiency in healthcare facilities. Since 1992, Omnicell has worked to enhance patient safety and allow clinicians to spend more time with their patients.

Omnicell’s medication-use product line includes solutions for the central pharmacy, nursing unit, OR, and patient bedside. Solutions range from complete automation systems for the central pharmacy to nursing unit and bedside dispensing cabinet systems. From the point at which a medication arrives at the receiving dock to the time it is administered, Omnicell systems store it, package it, bar code it, order it, issue it, and provide information and controls on its use and reorder.

Our supply product lines provide a healthcare institution with fast, effective control of costs, capture of charges for payer reimbursement, and timely reorder of supplies. Products range from high-security closed-cabinet systems and software to open-shelf and combination solutions in the nursing unit, cath lab and operating room. For more information, visit http://www.omnicell.com/.

About GHS

Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center (GHS) is a not-for-profit academic health organization committed to medical excellence through research and education and is accredited by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Hospital Organizations (JCAHO). Its five campuses provide integrated healthcare to communities across Greenville County and beyond through a tertiary referral and education center, community hospitals, a long term acute care hospital, nursing home, outpatient facilities and wellness centers.

Omnicell, Inc.

CONTACT: Deborah Reinert of Omnicell, Inc., +1-650-251-6403,[email protected]; or Linda Capcara of LVA Communications,+1-480-229-7090, [email protected], for Omnicell, Inc.

Web site: http://www.omnicell.com/