System to Reduce Specimen-Handling Errors

A new patient identification system is designed to enhance patient safety by limiting the potential for medical errors that can occur while collecting, transporting, and storing blood, urine, and other specimens.

The system employs a handheld computer with a built-in scanner. Prior to specimen collection, the system identifies the healthcare professional by scanning a user badge. Then the patient's bar-coded wristband is also scanned, at bedside, to confirm the right patient is receiving the right tests. After these steps, the specimen is collected. Next, the system matches the specimen collection orders stored in the computer with the information scanned from the patient wristband and confirms that the specimen container is the correct one for the tests ordered. A new bar-code label for the specimen container is printed at the patient's bedside with the time and date of collection. After the scanner is replaced in its cradle, the system synchronizes with the laboratory system and confirms with the lab that the correct collection from the patient was completed. Called BD.id, the system was developed by BD (Becton Dickinson and Co., Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA).

After pilot testing by a medical center, results showed a nearly a 100% reduction in specimen errors when the system was used, with .05% errors resulting from incorrect/incomplete specimen labeling. Results from use in a second center showed a 100% reduction in specimen errors, as well as a 13% reduction is staff time per collection and a 55% reduction in specimen-receipt time in laboratory.

"By diminishing the number of unnecessary repeated sample collections that can result in label errors, we were able to save more than US$100,000 over a year's time,” said Michael Mutter, clinical systems quality improvement director, the Valley Hospital (Ridgewood, NJ, USA).




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