In today’s healthcare economy, operational efficiency isn’t just a goal—it’s a necessity. Hospitals are under immense pressure to cut costs, improve outcomes, and retain nursing talent. One regional health system faced this exact challenge and found a powerful solution in an unlikely place: IV and medication labeling.
By implementing Vigilant’s Verify platform, this hospital not only improved patient safety and compliance—but also saved thousands of dollars annually across supplies, labor, and avoided clinical penalties.
The Challenge: Waste, Errors, and Workflow Fatigue
The hospital was grappling with several issues familiar to most CNOs and supply chain leaders:
- Dozens of preprinted label SKUs across units, requiring storage, manual inventory, and frequent reordering
- High waste rates from expired or obsolete labels
- Frequent tubing relabeling and replacements due to illegible or missing information
- Nurse frustration and delays during handoffs, particularly in the ICU
Nurses were spending significant time handwriting labels, replacing unmarked lines, and deciphering poor documentation—causing delays, stress, and safety risks.
The Solution: Automating Labeling with Vigilant Verify
The hospital piloted the Vigilant Verify platform in its adult ICU and perioperative areas. With just two barcode scans (clinician ID and medication), the system produced:
- Color-coded, multi-part labels for IV bags, tubing, and access points
- Clearly printed medication names, start/change times, and clinician ID
- Configurable templates aligned with internal protocols and Joint Commission standards
The Results: Thousands Saved, Time Reclaimed
Here’s what the hospital achieved in just the first year of implementation:
1. $4,000+ Saved in Label Waste
By replacing 80+ preprinted SKUs with one blank roll system, the hospital eliminated label spoilage and redundancy. Supply chain teams no longer had to reorder dozens of versions—and unused rolls weren’t discarded during formulary changes.
2. Over 1,200 Nurse Hours Reclaimed
Nurses saved 5–7 minutes per patient per shift on labeling, line tracing, and documentation. That time was redirected to patient care, reducing overtime and improving staff morale.
3. Zero CLABSIs Post-Implementation
With consistent, time-stamped labeling, compliance with CLABSI prevention protocols soared. The ICU recorded zero CLABSI incidents in the six months following deployment.
4. Streamlined Joint Commission Readiness
Surveyors praised the standardization and visibility of labeling. What was once a point of vulnerability became a compliance strength.
Staff Feedback: A Win for Nurses
Nurses reported immediate benefits:
- “I don’t have to guess who labeled a line or when—it’s all right there.”
- “It makes handoffs so much faster and safer.”
- “We spend less time chasing labels and more time with patients.”
Leadership also noted fewer complaints and higher engagement during audits and safety huddles.
Final Thoughts: One Simple Change, System-Wide Value
This case shows what many hospitals are starting to realize: labeling isn’t just a supply chain issue—it’s a strategic opportunity. By automating one of the most overlooked workflows in healthcare, the hospital turned a compliance gap into a cost-saving, satisfaction-boosting win.
Vigilant’s Verify platform isn’t just about better labels—it’s about better care, better margins, and better outcomes.