Barcodes Key to Money-saving Idea for VA Hospitals

Nancy Fichtner, an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs has won the first ever President’s SAVE Award. The SAVE Award is given to the Federal employeee with the best idea to save taxpayer dollars and make the government perform more effectively and efficiently.

Fichtner’s idea is to add a barcode to medicines that would allow a hospital patient to take the unused portions of medications such as ointments, inhalers, eye drops, and other bulk items home with them after discharge. These medicines are now being thrown away in many parts of the VA system because they lack adequate labeling for in-hospital and at-home use.

Fichtner’s idea was selected amongst over 30,000 entries. On Monday, December 21, Nancy will present her idea to President Obama at the White House.