Once these steps are completed, you can move on to adding fields to the label/tag format and determining data sources for the identified fields.

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1 BAR CODE DESIGN Where t Start Designing fr Maximum Scanning Success Which Symblgy t Select Symblgy Recmmendatins Labeling Standards Preprinted vs. On-site Printing Print Technlgies WHERE TO START: Start by listing the cnstraints within the prject. These wuld be the cmpnents that cannt be changed. These may include the scanning distance required, the number f characters t be encded, the type f characters t be encded (alpha and/r numeric), the size and rientatin f the area t which the label r tag will be affixed, and (if printed n site) the width f the print head. Once the cnstraints have been identified, the rest f the prcess can be designed. Depending upn the cnstraints identified, yu can start by defining the label size r the bar cde size. Remember, in bth instances, t include the quiet zne requirements f the bar cde chsen. If yu start with the bar cde size required, yu can then design the label/tag size arund it. Cnversely, if yu start with the label/tag size, yu must design the bar cde within it. Once these steps are cmpleted, yu can mve n t adding fields t the label/tag frmat and determining data surces fr the identified fields. DESIGNING FOR MAXIMUM SCANNING SUCCESS: The fllwing fur (4) elements and their cmpatibility cntribute t the successful, high (99.99%) first read rate and high (99.5%) read rate, use f bar cdes in any data cllectin applicatin. The mst critical relatinship in these elements is the density f the bar cde, which determines the scanning depth-f-field. The density f the bar cde is determined by the size f the "X" dimensin (the width f the narrw bar r element) and the rati f wide t narrw elements within the symbl. The cmpatibility f the "X" dimensin f the bar cde t the light surce f the scanner determines the system requirements fr scanning distance. Each scanning device has a depth-f-field fr each increment in the size f the "X" dimensin. Fr a standard range distance scanner a 20 mil "X" dimensin can be scanned frm abut 2 inches t 18 inches. A 50 mil "X" dimensin can be scanned frm abut 3 inches t 36 inches. This wuld be with standard white material with r withut a laminate. The lng range distance scanner has a greater depth f field which can be extended even mre when using retr reflective material extending the scanning distance t ver 28' using a 100 mil "X" dimensin. Each scanning device manufacturer has its wn specificatins fr each f their distance ptins. Testing is always recmmended because f the ther elements than cntribute t successful bar cde scanning. It is imperative that the system develpment and implementatin teams match the actual scanning requirements with the prper bar cde cnfiguratin and scanning devices. Many times the system requirements fr scanning a bar cde are discussed after the scanning equipment has been chsen and the bar cde cnfiguratin has been determined because f cnstraints n the size f the label.

2 The crdinatin f these fur elements determines the success r failure f all scanning systems. The data cllectin sftware and hardware can be the best but if the bar cdes either cannt be read r are difficult t read, the system will nt achieve its anticipated benefits and savings. A descriptin f each f these fur elements and hw they relate t each ther is given belw. It is like five fingers fitting perfectly in the five fingers f a glve. Each is imprtant by itself but they wrk tgether as a hand t cmplete tasks. 1. Bar cde: The type f bar cde symblgy t use is dependant n whether yu are scanning numeric r alphanumeric infrmatin (see symblgy selectin belw). Narrw Element / "X" dimensin and rati where applicable t determine density and the area required fr the bar cde including quiet znes at bth ends. The quiet zne, the clear area t the left and right f the bar cde is a functin f the "X" dimensin (see "x" dimensin, rati, reslutin, and quiet zne sectins belw). Height (redundancy) f bars fr quicker scanning. 2. Scanner (Hardware): Wand / Slt (Cntact) CCD (minimal nn cntact,.5" up t 3") Laser Single Line Single Line Mving Raster Hlgraphic Standard, Lng Range & Extended Lng Range ptics fr scanning up t 18 feet with standard material and 28' with retr-reflective material using a 100 mil "X" dimensin. 3. Material/label: Paper: Lwest cst but shuld be laminated fr durability (see Materials in Reference Center). Plastic: Mre durable and many times desn't need laminatin (see Materials in Reference Center) Retr Reflective: Includes imbedded glass beads t enhance distance scanning (see Materials in Reference Center). Laminatin: Matte laminate can perfrm better with wand readers (see Materials in Reference Center). 4. Envirnment:

3 Indrs: Light Surce is imprtant, as yu dn't want t much r t little light. Certain lights, mercury vapr & helium nen, can affect scanning perfrmance. Outdrs: Sunlight can affect scanning s special ptics have been develped fr this purpse. WHICH SYMBOLOGY TO SELECT: A symblgy is a bar cde language. Examples include UPC, Cde 128, and Cde 39. Each symblgy has its wn set f rules describing hw the data is incrprated int the bars and spaces. Each bar cde language has different capabilities and characteristics. Mst scanners are typically prgrammed t decde ne r mre symblgies. Each symblgy differs in the amunt f data that can be encded. Sme are fixed length, while thers can encde variable data. The ultimate gal f any business bar cde applicatin is t get infrmatin int a sftware package used t help autmate wrkflw. Whatever the applicatin, start by setting gals fr the sftware that will prvide yu with the desired reprts and infrmatin. The gal is t maintain the highest degree f data integrity usually in the smallest area pssible. The denser the cde, the smaller the space required. Hwever, denser cdes can result in lwer read rates. Check digits can ffset sme read failures. Several questins need t be answered befre a symblgy can be selected: 1. What character set needs t be encded? Numeric nly. Alpha/numeric. Special characters. 2. Hw much data needs t be encded? Different symblgies have different densities. Depending n the amunt f data and the space available n the dcument, sme cdes are mre apprpriate. The space available n the dcument defines hw many characters can be encded r what symblgy, density and ratis may be used. If the scanning reslutin is high, mre characters can be encded. What is the tlerance fr misread bar cdes? 3. D yu want t have a check digit/check character? Sme bar cde symblgies have this feature built in and dn't need an extra check digit. 4. What is the psitin in the dcument? Sme bar cde symblgies are mre tlerant n quiet zne requirements. If the bar cde is n the edge, sme misreads can happen because the bar cde can be cut. Cntent f human readable label infrmatin. Label r dcument graphic requirements. 5. Determine if there is a standard fr the industry. Many industries have standardized symblgies fr use within the industry. In sme situatins there may be n chice regarding the symblgy r label design. Inter-industry grups such as the Unifrm Cde Cuncil (UCC) and the Autmtive Industry Actin Grup (AIAG) have chsen their members' symblgy and have published standards. A gd place t stat may be trade assciatins, r ther rganizatins t which yu belng. A little research in the beginning culd eliminate a lt f headaches later n.

4 SYMBOLOGY RECOMMENDATIONS: Cnsider the simplest symblgy that slves the prblem. These symblgies ffer mre accuracy and prvide faster reading. Chse the symblgy with the highest inherent message density, if pssible. If yu will be encding nly numeric data, try I 2/5 r cde 128C. If yu are encding alphanumeric data, cnsider 128B. If yu are encding large amunts f data, try using ne f the tw dimensinal symblgies such as PDF 417. The disadvantage f tw-dimensinal symblgies is the limited number readers available t decde the cde. In additin, the cst f a reader capable f decding tw-dimensinal bar cdes is mre expensive and allws fewer input ptins then standard readers. With the develpment f scanners that can aut discriminate amng several linear symblgies, many cmpanies are using tw r mre linear symblgies n the same label. Substantial cst savings can be realized when tw requirements are satisfied with ne label. Anther valid reasn fr using different symblgies n the same label is t assure that the crrect bar cde will be scanned. Aut discriminating scanners can be prgrammed t read nly a specific cde, thereby reducing errrs frm scanning the wrng cde. Label design shuld allw fr mdificatins ver time as departmental needs change r as industry standards evlve. Fr the ease and simplicity f scanning, use the shrtest pssible encded fields even if a directry file is required. X DIMENSION: The smallest element in a bar cde is called the x dimensin. This is the narrwest bar r space in the cde. The chice f this dimensin is based nt nly n the space available n the dcument t print the cde, but als n the type f scanner and envirnment in which the label will be scanned. The minimum x dimensin fr Cde 39, Cdabar, Cde 93, Cde 128, I 2/5, Cde 49, and Cde 16K is.0075 inches. Usually, the larger the x dimensin, the mre frgiving the bar cde is when scanned. Fr the mst effective and reliable scanning, use the lwest pssible density. The mst reliable and effective scanning takes place with a wide-t-narrw element rati as clse t 3 t 1 as pssible. A larger x dimensin requires a larger label area. Mst applicatins use x dimensins in the range f 10 mils t 25 mils. It is preferred practice t have all bars and spaces in whle multiples f the x dimensin. Fr the mst effective and reliable scanning, use the 3.0:1 element rati whenever pssible. RESOLUTION: Reslutin f a scanner refers t the smallest element it can see. If the reslutin f a scanner is nt high enugh, it will nt be able t see small elements in high-density bar cdes. On the ther hand, a high-reslutin scanner will see defects in lw-density symbls that wuld be ignred by a prperly matched scanner. One f the prblems end users have is the failure t match the reslutin f the scanner t the density f the media. The size f the spt f light emitted by a scanning device shuld be slightly less (80-100%) than the narrwest element. If the spt f light is significantly larger than the narrwest element, a distractin ccurs when scanning is attempted. Therefre, scanning becmes mre difficult. If the spt f light is significantly smaller than the narrwest element, scanning is nt nly difficult but errrs can readily ccur. Fr the mst reliable scanning, be certain that the reslutin f scanning devices be matched prperly t the narrwest element f any ne symbl. DENSITY: Density is usually measured in ne f tw methds. Density is measured in either characters per inch r by the narrw bar size. The character per inch density is determined by the cmbinatin f

5 the x dimensin and the element rati. The wider the x dimensin (bars) and/r the larger the rati, the fewer characters per inch (lwer density). Narrwer bars prvide greater density, hwever they are mre vulnerable t print vids, stains, and dirt, which can affect bar width interpretatin. ELEMENT RATIO: T enable a scanner t distinguish between the wide and narrw elements, a minimum rati is needed depending upn which reslutin has been used fr printing the bar cde. The width f the wide element shuld be at least twice the narrw element. A range f 2.2:1 t 3.0:1 is recmmended. Sme symblgies have fixed element rati ptins. Cde 39 allws the user t determine the element rati. The width f bars and spaces can and d vary unintentinally as a result f the printing prcess. As lng as this variance is within accepted tlerance ranges, the deviatins are nt detrimental. Hwever, the smaller the element rati, the lwer the tlerance range. The mst reliable scanning takes place with a wide-t-narrw element rati as clse t 3:1 as pssible. It is preferred practice t have all bars and spaces in whle multiples f the "x" dimensin. QUIET ZONE: Cde designers specify a zne be just t the right and left f a bar cde that shall be free frm all printing. This quiet zne gives the scanner time t adjust its pt-electrnic measurement circuits t prperly determine the critical width f each bar in the cde message and determine the cntrast between the bar and the space between each bar. Quiet znes at the beginning and end f a cde signal the scanner where t begin and end. The quiet zne shuld be 10X the x dimensin f the symbl, r ne-quarter inch, whichever is greater. A clearance f 1/16 abve and belw the cde is recmmended. CONTRAST: Bar cde scanning takes place by fcusing light n a pattern f bars and spaces. The bars shuld absrb mst f the light, and the spaces shuld reflect mst f the light back t the scanning device. The tw primary ways f measuring the crrect absrptin and reflectin factrs is by print cntrast signal (PCS) r minimum reflectance difference (MRD). The result f these calculatins must be substantial enugh that scanners are able t prperly distinguish between bars and spaces. The higher the difference between light and dark spaces, the better the read. Bar cdes prduced with carbn-based inks nrmally ensure a higher PCS r MRD than alchl-based r dye-based inks, thus prviding better scanning characteristics. All scanners can accmmdate carbnbased inks. Hwever, infrared scanners are unable t read media prduced with alchl-based r dyebased inks. Using carbn-based ink t create bar cde symbls may prve t be a significant asset when the media is used in hstile perating envirnments. Infrared scanners can ften read these symbls even when they are cntaminated by marks frm ballpint pens, dirt, r ther freign matter. Ideally, use black carbn based ink r tner fr bars and an paque white matte finish print surface. Other cmbinatins f cde and backgrund clr can als be used as lng as there is a 50-60% cntrast between the light reflectance f the printed cde and the backgrund. MEDIA: Media als cntributes t cntrast. Opacity must be sufficient t prevent backgrund surfaces frm interfering with the scanners ability t read the media. If a dark backgrund shws thrugh a label, the scanner may interpret sme spaces as bars. This can readily happen when a white adhesive label is placed n a dark surface. The higher the initial reflectivity f the face sheet, the higher the difference between light and dark spaces and the better the read. Yur substrate chice shuld have high pacity.

6 MEDIA COLOR: Clr f substrate can impact cntrast. The cntrast pint f reference fr scanning is based n the 633 nanmeters f the red-light helium nen laser scanners. Therefre, yu must avid using paper r backgrund label stck that cntains any significant blue cmpnent that reduces cntrast. White substrate shuld be the first chice. Ideally this wuld be f OCR quality. Hwever, in sme applicatins where there are multiple bar cde labels, there culd be peratr cnfusin. Clrcding labels can reduce such cnfusin. When using label stck ther than white, avid clrs with blue cntent. Pink r yellw backgrund clrs are the safest chices. An alternative is t have preprinted clred bxes arund a bar cde t clr identify the specific cde. Alternately, a clred stripe can be preprinted n the side f a label. HORIZONTAL VERSUS VERTICAL ORIENTATION: Labels can cntain bar cdes in tw distinctive rientatins, called picket fence r ladder cdes. Applicatins that exclusively emply light pens shuld chse the hrizntal rientatin t supprt the mre natural mtin f the hand sweep. BAR CODE HEIGHT: Hand scanning is nt naturally dne in straight lines; it is dne in arching mtins. The MINIMUM bar height shuld be.24 inches r 15% f the bar cde length, whichever is greater fr Cde 39 and 128. Fr ptimum scanning, it is recmmended that the cde be.375 tall. UPC and EAN cdes shuld be at least 1.02 tall. HUMAN READABILITY OF A BAR CODE: Ensure that the cded infrmatin is printed abve r belw the bar cde in an alphanumeric human readable fnt. This allws fr key entry, if the bar cde is nt readable. BAR CODE PRINT QUALITY STANDARDS: In 1990, the American Natinal Standards Institute (ANSI) published ANSIx Bar Cde Print Quality Guidelines. These guidelines define measurement prcedures and standardized methds f evaluating bar cde print quality. A bar cde is measured n an A-F range. A perfect symbl is nt always achievable. This can be the result f a variety f reasns. Pintil verifies all wrk and prvides samples pulled peridically during the prductin prcess. CODE VERIFICATION: Whether preprinted r printed n demand, sampling f printed cdes t assure readability is critical. If preprinted, ask yur supplier t prvide yu with a sampling f bar cde verificatin (samples with print uts shwing bar cde readability and quality). If printed n demand, cnfirm yur custmer has the capability t verify cdes printed. Additinally, tw imprtant measurements f bar cde system perfrmance are first read rate and substitutin errr rate. First pass read rate (FPRR) is the rati f the number f successful reads t the ttal number f attempted reads n the first attempt. A lw first read indicates that the bar cde must be scanned multiple times befre a successful read is accmplished. A gd bar cde system shuld ffer a first read rate greater than 85% and a secnd pass read rate f 95%. This means that a particular bar cde can be read n the first scanning attempt 85% f the time. A first read rate, thugh, is nt a measure f the crrectness f the read. The primary cause f lw first read rates is prly printed bar cdes, such as thse with insufficient cntrast between the bars and spaces, inadequate quiet znes and excessive spts and vids. Operatr technique/training directly affect scanning success. Substitutin errr rate recrds the number f characters incrrectly decded ut f the ttal number f characters scanned. This prblem is much mre critical because, in mst cases, the peratr is unaware that an errr has been entered int the system. Hwever, many symblgies are self-checking,

7 meaning that cdes are designed s that defects render the cde unreadable, rather than readable but incrrect. LABELING STANDARDS: Many specific industries have established label standards unique t their industry. The autmtive industry (AIAG), the health industry (HIBCC), the plumbing industry (IBCA), and the electrnics industry (EIA) are a few f the industries establishing such standards. Furthermre, individual cmpanies such as WalMart have develped "cmpany specific" labeling standards. Such standards tell the "labeler" hw t create and apply a label that will meet the "recipients" infrmatin and applicatin standards. These standards may include the fllwing: 1. What infrmatin is required (i.e. p.. number, quantity, etc.)? 2. What data cntent cde standard t use. 3. What item t bar cde and in what symblgy. 4. Hw t arrange the data. 5. What bar cde print quality standards t use? 6. Where t place the label (s) DATA CONTENT CODES: Data cntent cdes make it pssible t scan a label cntaining mre than ne bar cde symbl in any rder. Data cntent cdes identify what type f data is encded in a bar cde symbl. Fr example, a cartn label may include a part number, a prduct number, quantity, and descriptin. The bar cde cntaining the part number wuld start with "P" if the part number was assigned by the custmer and "IP" if the part number was assigned by the supplier. The symbl encding the prductin number wuld start with the letter "T", and the quantity wuld start with the letter "Q." The data system will then be able t srt the data t the apprpriate places in the database. PREPRINTED VERSUS ON-SITE: There are situatins in which preprinting bar cde dcuments/labels is mre apprpriate and situatins in which n-site printing f bar cdes is mre apprpriate. Part f that evaluatin certainly includes cst per unit, cst f printing and verificatin equipment, and n-site expertise t print bar cdes. Additinal cnsideratins include: PREPRINTED Specialty materials required Existing QA prgrams Very high-density symbls required Over laminates Service Bureau Capabilities Cmpliance Assistance High quality labels required ON-SITE High quality labels required Mderate quality labels required Shrt lead-time Variable data Frequent design changes Shrt runs PRINT TECHNOLOGIES: There are a number f printing methds available t print bar cdes. Cnventinal ffset r flexgraphy printing is utilized in the printing f UPC retail bar cdes. Mechanical numbering machines can be utilized fr discrete bar cde symblgies (Cde 39), but nt cntinuus r 2D cdes. Phtcmpsitin can be used t print extremely small bar cdes. This prcess utilizes pht typesetting t create the bar cde, number, and text. This prcess has a reslutin f 2000 DPI prviding the highest level f quality and als the highest cst. This prductin

8 prcess utilizes phtgraphic paper and can include a cating r laminate ver the printed image t prvide scuff prtectin. The frmer is recmmended as the latter tends t delaminate. Hwever, fr mre cmplicated bar cde applicatins such as cnsecutive numbering, randm numbering, r data strage, cmputerized nn-impact printing technlgies must be utilized Laser. Pre die cut labels are prcessed thrugh laser printers with DPI reslutin. It is difficult (and expensive) t prvide laser labels with prtective catings r laminates. Therefre, a clear prtective label r tape must be placed ver the label t insure it will withstand nrmal handling and use. Laser printing can be lw t high speed, batch r ndemand prductin. If the dcument needs any static printing, it must be preprcessed n a cnventinal printing press. In Depsitin. Labels are bth manufactured and printed in the same prcess. In Depsitin typically utilizes DPI reslutin. Labels can be prvided with prtective cating r ver laminates. This is the preferred methd fr medium t high quantity prductin. Thermal Transfer. This printing technlgy utilizes 300 DPI reslutin. This is the preferred methd fr n-demand printing requirements, given its relative lst cst and reliable prcess. It is the slwest f nn-impact technlgies. Thugh they have similar DPI reslutin, thermal transfer technlgy prvides higher quality bar cdes than laser r in depsitin because thermal transfer technlgy incrprates square dts while laser and in depsitin utilize rund dts. Depending upn the particular type f manufacturing equipment, labels can be bth manufactured and printed in the same prcess. Labels can be prvided with prtective ver laminates. Pintil Systems Airprt Way Prtland, OR

Completing the NPA online Patient Safety Incident Report form: 2016

Completing the NPA online Patient Safety Incident Report form: 2016 Cmpleting the NPA nline Patient Safety Incident Reprt frm: 2016 The infrmatin cntained within this dcument is in line with the current Data Prtectin Act (DPA) requirements. This infrmatin may be subject