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PATHCONNECT
SPECIMEN LABELING PROJECT
PathGroup is pleased to announce the process enhancement release of barcoding labels from the
PathConnect application. This development will provide PathGroup with the ability to barcode
specimens in the client office, while associating specified testing to predetermined tube selections.
This document will provide you with step-by-step instructions as they pertain to changes inside of the
PathConnect application, as well as demonstrations of the proper labeling of specimen tubes for
instrumentation scanning and analysis in the clinical lab.
The following changes have been made and will be noticed inside the Clinical Specimens data entry
tab, as well as the printable documents from the PathConnect Application:
–
Identifying number of tubes to be drawn along with the specific tests that will be run from each
tube.
–
“Collected” checkbox identifying the tubes that were collected for each particular draw.
–
Ability to remove specimens and add testing to partially filled tubes; or ability to add additional
tests to a tube for minimally achieved specimen.
–
Custom Panel Tests now provide the individual test components that make up the custom panel
specimen; this allows for the ability to determine multiple Transport Temperatures and
Specimen Types within a particular panel for labeling and segregated transport.
–
Barcoded labels which now have five CAP required patient identifiers.
–
Requisitions to include specimen ID Numbers and lists of associated tests that coincide with the
Specimen ID Numbers on the barcoded labels.
These changes will improve efficiencies in clinical lab operations. PathGroup strives to provide industry
leading technology;
enhancements to the PathConnect application will further our commitment to
excellence in patient care and ensuring we have superior specimen collection tracking processes in
place.
Please review the following screen shots illustrating step-by-step changes in our Specimen Collection
Processes. Contact your Phlebotomy Supervisor, Territory Account Manager, or TrackIt
(help@pathgroup.com) with any questions you may have.
Thank you!
Chris Warner
Manager, PathConnect
PATHCONNECT
SPECIMEN LABELING PROJECT
By selecting the
“Collected” checkbox,
you are indicating that
the specimens have
been collected and
the associated tests
are correct.
Tests will now be associated to a specific tube
depending on the testing requirements for Specimen
Type and Recommended Total Volume of the ordered
tests.
In the example above, the CBC is automatically
associated to the EDTA Lavender Tube (#1), and the
CMP and LIPID are associated to the SST Serum
Tube (#1) based on the setup requirements of each
test.
PATHCONNECT
SPECIMEN LABELING PROJECT
The above example is a scenario in which 5 SST
Serum Tests have been ordered, along with 1 EDTA
test. The Clinical Specimens will automatically
assign as many tests to 1 tube as possible, (based
on volume), and will then associate other tests to a
new tube. CMP, FT4, LIPID, and TSH have fulfilled
the 3.5ml max tube volume requirements, pushing
the LIVER test to the SST Serum (#2) tube.
PATHCONNECT
SPECIMEN LABELING PROJECT
In the above screen shot, 5 SST
associated tests and 1 EDTA test have
been ordered. This scenario shows only 1
SST tube being drawn by the user due to
a difficult patient stick, allowing minimal
specimen to be achieved. The user has
indicated by the “Collected” check boxes,
that they have collected 1 SST Tube and
1 EDTA Lavender Tube.
By selecting and highlighting the
SST Serum (#2), and choosing the
“Remove Specimen” button, this
will remove the secondary SST
Tube.
PATHCONNECT
SPECIMEN LABELING PROJECT
After removing the SST Serum (#2),
the LIVER test has now been
automatically associated with the SST
Serum (#1).
By “Double Clicking” in the Orders
tab for the selected specimen, you
now have the ability to view the
assignable orders for a specific tube.
From this area, you can now assign
tests that have not been checked as
assigned to your tube of designation,
or remove tests that have been
previously selected.
PATHCONNECT
SPECIMEN LABELING PROJECT
If a test is unselected from the
Assignable Orders box for a tube,
the user will not be able to
complete the order until they have
designated the unassigned test with
a proper specimen association.
When attempting to complete the order, an error
will pop up indicating there is a test that must be
assigned before completing the order. At this
time, the user must either assign the test to the
original tube by checking the “Assign to Specimen”
checkbox in the Assignable Orders image above,
or by adding a new SST Serum Specimen Tube,
and associating that test to the new tube.
PATHCONNECT
SPECIMEN LABELING PROJECT
Extra tubes can now be indicated in PathConnect.
Once all tests have been associated to tubes, select
“Add Specimen” and the type of tube that you have
drawn as your extra tube.
In the example above, an extra SST was added,
and marked as collected, with no assigned tests in
the orders field. PathConnect will recognize a
drawn tube with no associated orders as “Extra” and
will indicate on your label “Extra” for identification
purposes at the lab.
PATHCONNECT
SPECIMEN LABELING PROJECT
Custom Panel Specimens will now be broken
down into the individual components of the
panel along with the Specimen associations for
those individual components. The above
example shows a custom panel with multiple
components requiring four tubes and mixed
transport temperatures. This will help ensure
the multi-component panels are collected
properly for optimal specimen analysis.
PATHCONNECT
SPECIMEN LABELING PROJECT
The PathConnect Requisition has now
been customized to include the new
specimen associations for easy review.
The orderable tests are listed with their
PathGroup Test Code, specimens
associated with that test code listed below
the test name, and the individual
components assigned to the specimen.
Once a requisition is completed, each tube
is assigned a Label ID which is listed under
the Ordered Tests and Specimen
Information sections. This number
identifies the label number utilized for
tracking the associated tests or test
components.
PATHCONNECT
SPECIMEN LABELING PROJECT
In addition, the label will now list the
specimen tube type, a list of assigned
tests to that specimen under the
barcode and the department for
which testing of that specific tube will
be run.
PathConnect Labels now include
barcoded information to include all
associated testing and pertinent
information for that specimen. The
labels also list multiple patient identifiers
to include; Patient Name and Date of
Birth, Label ID Number, Accession
Number, Date of Service, and Time of
Draw.
PATHCONNECT
SPECIMEN LABELING PROJECT
The new PathConnect Specimen Labeling Project now requires the barcoded labels to be placed on
the specimen tubes in a specific way and direction to ensure proper barcode scanning from our
automated instrumentation in the laboratory. Please notice the following images, and coinciding
description, which show the correct way for labeling a specimen, and two labeling procedures which are
incorrect for each tube type example. Please review and begin labeling all PathConnect labeled
specimens immediately in this manner:
CORRECT
#1
#2
1. This tube is labeled correctly. The top of the label is placed at the top of the tube right below the
cap, extending vertically down the tube. The top of the label can be identified by the start of the
patient’s last name on the label.
2. There is a small window between the DYMO label and the label provided on the tube to allow
the lab staff to view specimen for hemolysis.
PATHCONNECT
SPECIMEN LABELING PROJECT
INCORRECT
#2
#1
1. This tube is labeled incorrectly. The top of the label, which is indicated by the start of the
patient’s last name, begins at the bottom of the tube. This prevents the entire barcode from
being read by our lab instrumentation.
2. This tube is labeled incorrectly. The label is placed around the tube and “tabbed” together,
which also prevents laboratory instrumentation from scanning the barcode vertically for analysis.
PATHCONNECT
SPECIMEN LABELING PROJECT
CORRECT
#1
#2
1. This tube is labeled correctly. The label is placed at the top of the tube right below the cap,
extending vertically down the tube.
2. There is a small window between the DYMO label and the label provided on the tube to allow
the lab staff to view specimen for hemolysis.
PATHCONNECT
SPECIMEN LABELING PROJECT
INCORRECT
#1
#2
1. This tube is labeled incorrectly. The top of the label, indicated by the start of the patient’s last
name, begins at the bottom of the tube. This will prevent the lab instrumentation from reading
the full barcode for specimen analysis.
2. This tube is labeled incorrectly. The label is placed over the bottom of the tube, making the
entire barcode unavailable for proper scanning.
PATHCONNECT
SPECIMEN LABELING PROJECT
CORRECT
#1
#2
1. This tube is labeled correctly. The top of the label, indicated by the start of the patient’s last
name, is placed at the top of the tube right below the cap, extending vertically down the tube.
2. There is a small window between the DYMO label and the label provided on the tube to allow
the lab staff to view specimen for hemolysis.
PATHCONNECT
SPECIMEN LABELING PROJECT
INCORRECT
#1
#
#2
1. This tube is labeled incorrectly. The label is placed diagonally across the tube, preventing the
barcode from being scanned vertically as required.
2. This tube is labeled incorrectly. The label is placed horizontally around the tube covering the
bar code label and patient information. This specimen cannot be read by our automated
laboratory instrumentation.