Have any of you any suggestions for manufacturers of bar code labelling systems for medical equipment? Initially I'm looking at labelling our equipment library stock, with a view to re-labelling all the medical asset database. Has anyone any suggestions for systems I should look at and those I should avoid? I'm obviously after a durable label that can be customised with the hospital logo. Any suggestions?

please email: richard.aldridge@chelwest.nhs.uk
Cheers

Have a look at this website. We use the P-touch 9500 to produce our barcoded labels and customisation is easy!

http://www.brother-store.co.uk/index.php/cPath/4?aid=gbsptm&gclid=CKCViL_buooCFTlhMAodCEGdOQ

We use Kroy label printers. They are fully cusomiseable(?), you can design your label in Word or use a range of programs that come with the printer to allow consecutive numbers, dates, barcodes etc. The main downside is that the labels are easily damaged, we protect ours with transparent covers, a bit fiddly to put on but you get used to it.

There are two options for durable lables,Pre-printed polypropylene labels (so you have your logo pre printer)or Pre-printed metalised polyester labels but then you have to consider Direct Thermal printeing or Thermal Transfer.These type of lables are used for serial number lables on equipment so should pass a rub test.
If you take a look at www.barcode.co.uk it has a full range of printers, media and full systems.

I used to work in this field, they are begging for bussiness.

I have been using the Brother P-Touch series of label printers for 12 years.

I produce custom labels of varying sizes and colours, with and without barcodes.

Each label is printed and laminated before it is ejected from the printer. The result is a self adhesive label which, once bonded to the surface, can be cleaned with most solvents and , will generally stay in place for the life of the equipment.

Obviously surface preparation is important and I have also found that rounding off the corners with scissors before application helps to prevent lifting and curling from the edges.

Again the Brother P Touch 220 is a small hand held device or even the 540 is a desk top device. Simple to use with a variety of pretty coloured labels if required.

I use labels in various sizes supplied by Kelgray Products. We use a TEC printer and Enlabel software. Labels are in Metalised Polyester Void and vary in size from 38 x 18 to 70 x 45 mm

We use the brother printer also - very professional looking labels and works well when you use a Spreadsheet/database to churn off a large number of labels.

We also use a brother printer for our barcode labels. We did used to have the Printronix but found it to be a bit of a pain at times and the quality was not always the best.

We use the Brother P touch software to re-print, we share a Zebra label printer with another hospital to print "originals" in batches.