A method of reading codes with a reader mounted at least partially within a jacket and communicating the read codes to a handheld device also mounted at least partially within the jacket. The codes may identify a medicine, identify a patient, run an inventory, run a patient safety application, or other process control application located on the handheld device. The jacket includes an opening configured to align and engage with a display surface of the handheld device to simultaneously display being read. The jacket is portable and small and light enough to be carried by a user while working in a healthcare facility.