Laboratory diagnostics plays a vital role in diagnosing and treating patients. Analyzing human tissue or fluid lab specimens gives valuable insights into a patient’s health status. However, to keep track of these samples and prevent mix-ups, accurate patient identification and lab specimen labeling are paramount.
Human errors happen quickly in fast-paced environments where time is critical – with dire consequences. Due to mislabeling, lab specimens get mixed up or can’t be allocated to a patient at all. This results in incorrect and delayed treatment, or lack thereof, and causes serious harm to patient health, prolonging hospital stays and raising healthcare costs. Thus, accurate matching and identification of lab specimens and patients is crucial for safe practices.
This article explores how to use barcode technology in lab specimen labeling in compliance with safety standards, and what to consider when implementing such a system.
Lab specimen labeling standards
Lab specimen labeling standards provide guidance for hospitals, laboratories, and other healthcare institutions that want to use a barcode specimen label system to address the issue of mislabeled specimens.
In the CLSI AUTO12-A standard, the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) describes regulations to achieve higher quality reporting, faster delivery of results, and improved patient care.
The CLSI AUTO12-A states that every lab specimen label should contain human-readable elements, preferably on a label sized 2 x 1 inches, including:
- the complete patient name
- a unique identifier (e.g., an alphanumeric code)
- the date of birth
- the specimen collection time and date
- space for the collector’s identification
The Joint Commission, an internationally operating nonprofit organization based in the U.S., also defined a standard. It has established specific guidelines for laboratory specimen labeling to ensure patient safety and prevent errors.
Its guidelines suggest these best practices:
- usage of two patient-specific identifiers on specimen labels, such as the patient’s full legal name, date of birth, or assigned identification number
- labeling specimens with the two identifiers in the presence of the patient
- no pre-labeling
Enhance patient safety with lab specimen barcode labels
The 2012 meta-analysis “Effectiveness of Barcoding for Reducing Patient Specimen and Laboratory Testing Identification Errors” concludes that barcode technology for specimen labeling reduces identification errors. Regarding the improved accuracy of patient specimen identification in hospitals, the authors recommend using barcodes in these settings.
With barcodes, lab specimen labels receive a unique digital fingerprint that ensures the traceability and uniqueness of each sample within a hospital lab’s workflow.
Barcodes can encode numeric or alphanumeric data, and some can even link to digital records, online resources, and detailed sample information. When combined with human-readable text, they act as a reliable verification method.
Suitable barcode types
Several types of barcodes are suitable for use on lab specimen labels. For implementation, consider label size, space, as well as the type and amount of data you need to encode. While 1D barcodes are simpler and ideal for basic identification, 2D barcodes offer higher data capacity and are better suited for more complex applications.
Code 128, a 1D symbology, is a high-density barcode that can encode a large set of characters. Capable of encoding detailed information, It is commonly used for sample identification and tracking.
QR Code and Data Matrix are suitable 2D barcode candidates.
QR Codes are known for storing a wide range of data, including URLs, text, and binary data. They can also link to digital records and online sources.
Similar to QR Codes, Data Matrix codes can store a significant amount of data, with the added advantage that they require less space and fit on lab specimen vials.
Suitable barcode technology
Barcode technology doesn’t have to be bulky or too costly. Equipped with portable barcode printers, hospital and laboratory staff can generate and print specimen barcode labels right at the point of care, creating a lab specimen label system that is compliant with patient safety standards.
High-quality barcode scanner software turns tablets into reliable barcode readers without restricting their core functionalities. With the need for costly dedicated devices eliminated, the smart devices can also be used for multiple purposes –– including communication and access to a hospital management system –– all in one device.
Suitable barcode scanner software must meet the specific demands of healthcare settings. The barcodes on lab specimen labels are tiny, and scanning them has to be fast and user-friendly in order to handle high volumes. The encoded data includes sensitive patient information, which calls for a solution compliant with CCPA and GDPR.
The Scanbot Barcode Scanner SDK meets these requirements and offers even more. Thanks to our flat pricing model, it can be integrated into any mobile or web app to be run on as many devices as needed. It scans and processes barcodes locally without connecting to third-party servers, ensuring the security of sensitive data.
In our free demo app, you can try the SDK’s ability to scan even tiny, damaged, or poorly lit barcodes. Contact us at sdk@scanbot.io to learn more.
