An e-Network member expressed interest in obtaining additional information after reading the e-Network posting which summarizes the responses of several hospitals regarding the performance of simultaneous crossmatching of more than one patient by the same technologist. This member wanted to know specific information regarding the accessioning of patient samples into the computer using barcoded sample labels.

Here are the replies to this question.

1. Reply #1 came from a technical marketing manager for a product that Ortho-Clinical Diagnostic markets for Wyndgate Technologies, SafeTrace Tx. According to the marketing manager, this is a relatively new product (510K cleared 1/99) that incorporates bar codes into most of the steps of the process. Multiple patients can safely be manipulated, since before patient results can be entered, you must bar code the sample tube to identify which patient you are working on. In the absence of a bar-code label, the operator must type the identification number in, assuring that the correct patient has been accessed. In addition, all information regarding the patient, antibodies present, special needs, etc. are instantly available on that patient. In the event that special needs are ignored, the blood product cannot be released until those conditions are met, or until a supervisory over-ride has been initiated (this level can be set as high as the user wants).

2. Reply #2 came from a Blood Bank Supervisor who said that his transfusion service uses the Sunquest information system which encodes the sample accession number in a barcoded specimen label.

3. Reply #3 came from another blood banker who said that his place uses the PathNet/Cerner system. According to the member, with that system barcoded labels are easy to implement. At the member's institution they were able to establish a system which allows a computer label to be added to a primary label so that both labels can be read. They fold their barcoded computer label so both the primary and computer label can be easily read by the staff.

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Ira A. Shulman, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Editor & Moderator