Barcodes help hospitals keep track of their tools

An electronic barcode system is helping hospitals to keep track of surgical tools - and even to work out when equipment has been left inside a patient's body.

Under the system, introduced in five public hospitals over the past year, every set of equipment is given a barcode to track information such as who has handled the equipment and where it was sterilised.

When staff notice a piece missing, the system enables them to trace its history - and likely whereabouts - within a minute. Previously, staff had to wade through manual records, which took much longer.

The new system helps staff to confirm whether the equipment has been dropped somewhere, or in some cases, whether it has been left inside a patient's body following surgery. It also enables them to track down equipment that has been exposed to pathogens which cannot be killed by the usual sterilisation process.

The system is set to be used by all 23 public hospitals with surgical theatres within two years.

"The main highlight of the system is to enhance patients' safety," said Mike Tong Chin-ip, ward manager of the Prince of Wales Hospital's sterile supply unit. The hospital was one of the first three - alongside Queen Mary Hospital and United Christian Hospital - to introduce the system a year ago.