Schreiner improves label reliability

Consistent, simple and reliable labelling and documentation are vital in a hectic hospital environment. For example, a young doctor in the UK recently caused the death of a patient by injecting a drug into his/her spinal cord, even though the pharmaceutical manufacturer had clearly warned against this on the pack. However, it transpired that this warning had been lost in the process of filling the syringe.

Schreiner MediPharm, based in Germany, specialises in the development of innovative labelling products that optimise the processes of pharmaceutical manufacturers, facilitate the work of hospital staff and ultimately help raise the level of protection for patients. The company's range includes the following labels:

• pharma-comb label, which consists of several detachable labels, each printed with key data about the drug. Easy to detach, they can be reapplied to surfaces for permanent and reliable adhesion, allowing information from the vial to be transferred directly to the syringe;

• e-temp-label, which employs RFID technology to record accurately any temperature excursion for subsequent evaluation, thus satisfying prerequisites for deciding whether or not a drug in transit has stayed within its predefined temperature limits;

• safety-syringe label: when using syringes for the treatment of patients with contagious or life-threatening diseases, the use of syringes with needle protectors is recommended. This specially shaped tab facilitates the insertion of a syringe into the protector: after administration of the drug the doctor or nurse can peel two detachable labels for documentation off the protector by rotating the syringe.