S02 - BARCODE SCANNER SPECIFICATIONS - ATTACHMENT 2.pdf

Wireless Bar Code Scanners: Specifications

Description of Use:

TVHS VA Nursing Service

This solicitation uses a Brand Name or Equal Description of the product required. This permits prospective contractors to offer products other than those specifically referenced by brand name. All offers proposals must work with existing equipment that has already been purchased and is currently in use at the station.

Minimum Technical Specifications:

Wireless scanners have a scanner "gun" that communicates wirelessly (with a base station that is physically connected to the computer by a cable) or directly to the computer using other encrypted wireless communications. Suicide prevention precautions must be evaluated by staff when using wired or tethered scanners in high-risk patient care environments.

One major consideration for the wireless scanners is whether the scanner is FIPS 140-2 compliant. FIPS stands for Federal Information Processing Standards. Standard 140-2 deals with encryption of processed data and is one of the criteria that must be met by wireless scanners to be used in VA. This standard helps alleviate the possibility of electronic eavesdropping by intercepting data as it is transmitted from the scanner to the base station or computer. FIPS 140-2 has been superseded by FIPS 140-3, but most vendors have not certified their equipment to that yet, so FIPS 140-2 remains the minimum encryption requirement. FIPS 140-3 exceeds FIPS 140-2 and therefore is acceptable.

In addition to tethered and wireless, the scanners can be further subdivided according to their scanning methods. Older scanners used a linear or laser scanning method to detect the bar codes. However, those scanners are limited to reading only single line (one-dimensional, 1D) bar codes. Newer scanners use an "area imaging" method, which essentially takes a picture of the bar code (like a camera) and then internally decodes the image and sends the information on to the computer. This allows the scanner to read a great variety of bar code symbologies also known as two-dimensional or 2D bar codes. Although an "area imager" is "like a camera" it is not to be confused with a camera. An area imager still uses a dedicated scan engine, which is different than what you see on smart phones. Many smart phones have integrated third-party software into their cameras that allow the camera application itself to recognize when a bar code appears in the view and decode it. Neither VA BCMA nor Cerner solutions have risen to that level of sophistication and rely on true bar code scan engines. This is one reason why BCMA cannot be used with standard smartphones and tablets. We want to move that direction, but that's a project that will require a lot of interest and funding.

All scanners used in VA must be able to read 1D and 2D bar codes of a variety of symbologies.

Symbologies are like bar code "languages". The preferred type of 1D bar code symbology is Code 128, while the preferred 2D bar code symbology is DataMatrix. We won't go into the distinctions here on the differences between the symbologies, but that is addressed in the "Systems" area of this SharePoint.

VA Requirements for Wireless Bar Code Scanners

Requirement Mandatory Desireable

Scanner shall be compliant with FIPS 140-2 (min level 1)

Y

Scanner shall not require additional external hardware to meet FIPS compliance

Y

Scanner shall support a camera based area imager with a 2D imager engine bar code scanner (see Functional Requirements for details)

Y

Scanner shall have an optional hands-free mode Y Scanner shall support audible alerts that are adjustable by the end user

Y

Scanner shall provide an audio or visual low battery alert/indicator

Y

Scanner handset shall weigh less than 16 oz with battery included

Y

Scanner shall have a transmission range of not less than 20 feet to base station

Y

Scanner shall continue to function after a minimun 4 foot drop to concrete

Y

Scanner shall have an IP seal rating greater than

Y

Device must withstand low and intermediate disinfection using methods approved by CDC for noncritical items throughout the lifecycle of the unit (Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, CDC, 2008, Table 1).

Y

Scanner base station shall connect using a standard USB interface

Y

Base station shall use "power over USB" for charging scanner and communication (i.e. shall not require separate power source)

Y

Scanner shall be charged without removing batteries

Y

If scanner's design uses a "pistol" style grip, the grip is not a separate piece/accessory.(See Food for Thought)

Y

Scanner retains settings after power interuption Y Scanner battery life shall exceed 2000 recharge cycles

Y

Scanner battery shall not develop charge memory Y Scanner battery recharging time shall be less than 3 hours

Y

Scanner shall not require tools to replace batteries

Y

Warranty 3 years or more Y Vendor provides 24/7 customer support during warranty period

Y

Vendor/manufacturer provides customer notification of identified problems

Y

Vendor provides firmware upgrades at no cost during warranty period

Y

Description Quantity

Honeywell-based 1962HHD Ultra Cordless BCMA Firmware Scanner kit: Includes BCMA Firmware, setup card, FIPS 140-2, USB CABLE, 5-year Comprehensive Warranty with TCG EWP Warranty Protection.

The VA encourages facilities to procure and deploy equipment of the same make and model across entire areas whenever possible. Standardizing on a single make and/or model reduces variation in configuration and function as well as the cognitive overhead needed to support and troubleshoot equipment. For example, if you have 5 different makes and models of printers, it may be difficult to determine if a problem is related to that individual printer or the software controlling the printers. If you have one make and model of scanner deployed throughout the entire medical center and all are identically configured, troubleshooting becomes much easier.

Optional/Value Added Features:

N/A Required Interfaces:

None

National BCMA Cart and Computer Specifications:

VA Bar Code Scanner Requirements FINAL 2