Relabeling specimens

[Cliff]

We are in the process of implementing a new computer. We are just starting this exciting year-long project. :roll:

One of the decisions we need to make is related to specimens.

Currently our specimens come to us with the patients name, medical record number, the date collected and an identifier of the phlebotomist. It is a fairly large label. We are a very large institution and don't have any control of changing that process.

We also have an Immucor Rosys. We'd like our specimens to be barcoded so they can be processed on the Rosys.

One option we are considering is when we log the sample into the blood bank we will print a new label that has all of the information from the original label, with the addition of a barcode that can be read by the Rosys. This new label would likely conceal most of the information on the original label.

Is anyone aware if this is prohibited by anyone - excluding CAP we are not CAP inspected.

Thanks.

[John C. Staley]

Morning Cliff, we have an ABS2000 and face a similar problem. What we do is make sure that the patient's name on both labels is visible. I don't know of any regulations that forbid relabeling but I'll bet there are a few old blood bankers clutching their chests at the thought of it. :wink:

[Cliff]

Hmm, what qualifies one as an old blood banker? :wink:

Honestly, I am not too keen on the idea myself, and unless I can find a compelling reason not to do this, I'm afraid I will need to agree to it.

[Dar]

We are bringing up a ProVue & have the same issue. We have also just instituted a 2nd person ID check when the specimen is drawn; therefore, we also have 2 universal IDs (8 digits) on the tube. I would welcome any ideas also.

[Likewine99]

Dar,

We brought up the ProVue 2.5 years ago and we in the BB place the bar code onto a Hollister labeled tube.

We don't relabel anything and if a spec comes to us with the bar code label already attached it is rejected (assuming the Hollister was not applied at time of collection).

[AMcCord]

We require a hand labeled tube, though this may change soon. (We are looking at barcode print at bedside.) I require that the patient's name and both of the unique numeric identifiers we use are on the top 2 lines of the tube label. The rest of the information -time of drawn, location and phleb - is on the rest of the label and is also captured in the LIS when the specimen is collected and received. Once the specimen reaches Blood Bank, one of us verifies the label information. If the specimen is acceptable, we then place the bar code label for Echo on the tube so that the name and 2 identifiers are still visible.