Phlebotomy Solutions

Associated table 1

Associated table 2

In recent years, hospital labs have begun using barcode technology at the pre-analytic testing stage to ensure that specimens are collected from the right patient, in the right tube, at the right time. Barcode solutions link the patient's wristband to associated test orders, making possible point-of-care (POC) label printing to reduce errors in patient identification and specimen labeling. Wireless phlebotomy takes barcode capabilities a step further by enabling physicians, laboratory technicians and other personnel to constantly update data to laboratory information systems (LIS) and phlebotomist handheld devices; information is no longer static and outdated when it is retrieved.

Wireless phlebotomy solutions typically consist of a wireless handheld computer, integrated barcode scanner and portable label printer. When a physician orders a test for a patient, the request is transmitted from the LIS to the phlebotomist's handheld device. At the bedside, the phlebotomist scans the patient wristband barcode to make sure it matches the order, and produces labels only after the patient is properly identified.

The wireless device dictates to caregivers what samples to collect, which color tube to use and any special handling instructions. Caregivers scan labeled specimen tubes to make sure the information matches the patient, collection time and caregiver identification. If users don't draw a specimen, the system may force them to enter a reason, informing others why a test result isn't available.

Improvements

Hospitals using wireless phlebotomy systems reap numerous benefits-from measurable improvements in patient safety to downstream lab efficiencies. A wireless phlebotomy system can eliminate patient and specimen identification errors leading to incorrect diagnoses, unnecessary treatment and extra work for staff. Nancy Smith, director of Nursing, Howard County General Hospital, Columbia, MD, says her facility used to mislabel 20-25 specimens per month before they turned to a wireless phlebotomy solution; now that number is zero to one.

Physician- or nurse-entered stat orders go directly to the phlebotomist's handheld device, eliminating the need for manual paging and phone calls. Wireless phlebotomy helped the staff at Doctors Community Hospital in Lanham, MD, improve availability of stat test results to physicians-from 70 to 87 percent in 30 minutes and 73 to 96 percent in 60 minutes.

Data Integration

Automated data captured at the bedside integrates with the LIS and automation lines to eliminate bottlenecks in specimen receiving. There's no time-consuming data entry or delays from interpreting handwriting, or tracking down missing information. Real-time order updates lead to more efficient (and safer) rounding, minimizing redraws and the need to return to the lab for new orders.

With automated capture of collection information, lab workers face fewer interruptions from phlebotomists returning pages, nurses placing orders and doctors looking for results. Aimee Pena at Citizens Medical Center, Victoria, TX, reports that wireless phlebotomy led to an 80 percent drop in the number of phone calls to her lab, which has created a more productive work environment.

Linda Trask is manager, Laboratory Products, Iatric Systems Inc., Boxford, MA.