Utilizing the latest in barcode technology, TracerPlus offers mobile relief workers an innovative, reliable and cost-effective way to manage and speed triage data collection.

Portable Technology Solutions, LLC, a leading Palm OS® data collection solutions provider, announced today that TracerPlus data collection software has become an integral component in disaster relief management in two states. Regional disaster relief teams in both Michigan and Iowa recently purchased PTS TracerPlus software coupled with Symbol SPT Palm OS® series scanners. Utilizing the latest in barcode technology, TracerPlus offers mobile relief workers an innovative, reliable and cost-effective way to manage and speed triage data collection.

“We selected PTS’s TracerPlus because it bundled database software and scanning capability in an affordable package,” said Dr. David Stilley, co-chairman for the Disaster Medical Systems Teams for the Iowa Department of Public Health, a newly created state government body charged with spearheading federal mandates for disaster relief in Iowa. “We just couldn’t find anything comparable elsewhere,” Stilley added. TracerPlus is used in each of the five disaster relief teams throughout the state as a means to create a uniform method of collecting data.

In each region, patients undergoing triage receive a barcode identification tag. All interactions with the patient, from applying bandages to administering medications, are documented using the TracerPlus-enhanced Symbol scanners. That information is periodically downloaded to an on-site laptop for up-to-date record keeping. The scanners use TracerPlus bar code technology to minimize potential for error. TracerPlus ensures comprehensive data capture by matching a patient’s barcode-identifying information with barcoded bandages, medications, and assessments administered to that patient.

In Michigan, the District 1, Regional Medical Response Team has recently purchased TracerPlus-enhanced Symbol 1800 barcode scanners for its twelve acute care hospitals. “Flexibility was the major selling point,” said former Regional Bioterrorism Coordinator Byron Callies. “TracerPlus had everything we were looking for. It was a portable, hand-held device that could be used for a variety of purposes.” Including: tracking patients during trauma care using barcode software, inventorying disaster relief supplies, and identifying medical supplies and equipment from the Strategic National Stockpile on an as-needed basis. TracerPlus will continue to play an integral role in managing disaster relief, said Callies, as District 1 moves toward a web-based tracking system providing real-time patient-care tracking.

TracerPlus is a leading barcode data collection application available for mobile units with thousands of active users. TracerPlus barcode enabled Palm OS® software allows you to efficiently and effectively collect the information you need at an affordable price—with no programming knowledge required. With TracerPlus, asset management, inventory control, and many other data collection tasks are fast and easy.

Portable Technology Solutions specializes in Palm OS® bar code enabled data collection solutions. PTS software and bar code kits give individual Palm OS® users, small businesses, and large enterprises the ability to create powerful bar code enabled data collection applications at affordable prices. PTS customers range in size from small retail stores to Fortune 500 companies such as Cisco, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Goodyear. PTS titles include Tracer, TracerPlus and MedCheck. All PTS software is available for free trial at the PTS Store, http://www.ptshome.com or at the Palm Store, http://store.palm.com.