A CBBS e-Network member recently asked for feedback regarding problems his laboratory has been having with the Olympus PK7200. Specifically, his laboratory has been experiencing "no read" problems with the PK7200. The only solution has been to use a manual workaround of drawing a black line along the bottom of the tube barcode. Apparently, the barcode labels from their current supplier have intermittent problems with the width of the "quiet zone". The member asked if anyone else has experienced this problem and if not, what barcode label suppliers are not associated with this problem. Strangely, the member's barcodes read on every other piece of equipment in the lab. The member's institution has involved Olympus, Olympus Tokyo, the barcode reader manufacturer, the label manufacturer, but as of today, the member states that "no solution is in sight".

What follows are the replies to the above plea for help. These replies do not represent an official position or opinion of the CBBS or of the Editor. The views expressed are merely being provided for the purpose of discussion, in order to resolve an apparent technical laboratory problem, and it is strongly recommended that confirmation of the issues discussed be obtained directly with the vendors mentioned.

1. According to a representative of the American Red Cross (ARC), the ARC has experienced similar problems, but not on a widespread basis, and very limited in comparison to the observations of the e-network member whose laboratory is having major problems. The Red Cross representative said that they currently use Watson Barcode labels. The ARC had experienced some barcode reading problems, initially with Summits, which were rectified by the replacement of an upgraded 2nd generation barcode scanner. Also, the barcodes that appear to have reading problems on the Olympus PK7200 will read successfully on other analyzers (similar to the e-network member's experience). Therefore it does not appear, at least on the surface, to be solely related to the barcode integrity. Olympus America Inc. to date has not provided the American Red Cross with a resolution to the problem. The ARC representative states that they and Olympus are continuing to investigate in conjunction with Olympus Tokyo and the barcode manufacturer. Olympus has also stated similar comments about the quiet zone of the labels. Additionally, the barcodes were sent to Olympus for investigation have been tested by outside consultants who provided ANSI rating of the barcodes with "passing" results, mostly B and C ratings.

2. One e-Network member, who is not affiliated with the ARC, made the following suggestion, which might be worth consideration. The responding member's laboratories have 5 PK7200s and have not experienced the problem under discussion. This may be due to the fact that although their customers use a variety of sources for barcodes, the customers are required to print on matte paper instead of on glossy paper. Perhaps a change in the paper stock would solve the problem, since the black line drawn around the base resolves it.

Please submit comments to the e-Network Forum.

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