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Bar codes and the clinical laboratory: adaptation perspectives.
W R Dito1, S McIntire, J Leano
1Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, La Jolla, CA.
Clinical Laboratory Management Review : Official Publication of the Clinical Laboratory Management Association
|December 10, 1991
Summary
Bar-code technology in laboratories enhances patient identification accuracy and reduces turnaround times. Implementation saved significant personnel costs, with hardware expenses recouped within two years.
Area of Science:
- Laboratory medicine
- Clinical pathology
- Health informatics
Background:
- Bar-code technology offers potential for laboratory automation.
- Implementation challenges and solutions require careful consideration.
- Accurate patient identification is critical for safe and effective laboratory testing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the functional capabilities of bar-code technology in a laboratory setting.
- To assess implementation challenges and solutions.
- To evaluate the cost-effectiveness and impact on laboratory efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Overview of bar-code technology functionalities.
- Analysis of problems and solutions during implementation.
- Assessment of cost savings and personnel time recovery.
- Evaluation of impact on patient identification accuracy and turnaround times.
Main Results:
- Successful implementation of bar-code technology.
- Significant improvement in patient identification accuracy.
- Marked reduction in turnaround times for routine procedures in chemistry and hematology.
- Estimated savings equivalent to two full-time medical technologists.
- Projected hardware cost recovery within two years.
Conclusions:
- Bar-code technology is a valuable tool for enhancing laboratory efficiency and accuracy.
- The benefits, including personnel savings and improved service, outweigh the initial investment.
- Strategic implementation can lead to substantial operational improvements and cost reductions.
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