24 May 2016

Laser devices to detect drug mishaps

11:55 am on 24 May 2016

A New Zealand company is trialling world-leading technology to eliminate intravenous medication errors in hospitals.

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Photo: 123rf

Auckland-based health company Veriphi has developed the machine in conjunction with doctors.

Veriphi chief executive Greg Shanahan told Nine to Noon the device would help minimise human error.

The technology uses lasers to scan intravenous bags and lines to check the correct drugs and dosages are being given.

"That laser passes light at various wavelengths and we recognise the unique spectral signatures of different drugs at specific concentrations.

"So, each drug at a different concentration has a non-visible colour, and that can be recognised by our system."

"Our most recent tests we did 40 blind tests against 10 drugs, four different [types of] containers at different temperatures and had 100 percent success."

He said trials for a commercial device at Auckland Hospital would begin within a year.

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