The Benefits of SpectraPath Specimen Tracking Systems

Specimen tracking systems are designed to save hospitals money, time, and effort by automating laboratory processes. These technologies can reduce misdiagnosis and improve efficiency, allowing technicians to focus on other tasks while eliminating the need for manual histology labeling.

Using barcodes printed on xylene-resistant labels, specimen containers are tracked throughout the process. This ensures that only one patient’s samples are handled at a time and provides full traceability.

Reduced Misdiagnosis

Identifying and tracking samples throughout the histology process is critical to ensuring that patients receive the correct diagnosis. Misdiagnosis can lead to various issues, including increased medical costs and delays in treatment.

Using barcodes to label tissue containers, cassettes, and slides helps reduce the chances of these errors occurring. Moreover, this method allows labs to check that each step of the diagnostic process is correct.

Specimen tracking systems (STS) automate this process, reducing errors and improving efficiency. The system also helps laboratories save time, allowing technicians to spend more time on other aspects of their job and improve their technique.

Increased Efficiency

To reduce misdiagnosis, maintain specimen integrity, and ensure timely deliveries, labs must implement efficient tracking and data management. This is where SpectraPath Specimen Tracking Systems come in.

Using RFID technology, SpectraPath enables laboratories to scan packages as they are shipped, ensuring the accuracy of information related to their specimens. This improves the efficiency of a laboratory’s shipping process and helps to keep specimens on time and within their established temperature range.

In addition, SpectraPath provides a suite of features that help laboratories streamline processes and increase efficiency in pre-analytical supply procurement and inventory management. These features can help labs save money by reducing restocking costs and improving client service levels.

Increased Patient Satisfaction

Specimen tracking technology allows labs to track their specimens from collection through delivery and testing. This system helps health facilities and laboratories reduce labeling errors, prevent loss of samples during transport, and improve overall operations efficiencies and safety.

A sample is assigned an RFID tag and linked to its information in our specimen tracking software. This data is then synchronized in real-time to a server database accessed by facilities, couriers, and laboratories as the samples travel through each checkpoint.

This results in the elimination of two manual steps for histology samples. A case number is generated at accessioning, and specimen labels are automatically printed on cassettes. Similarly, microtomy slides are stained by routine H&E and then scanned into the LIS to be distributed to pathologists.

Reduced Labor Costs

One of the most time-consuming manual steps in lab processes is sorting and filing glass specimen slides. This process is prone to human error and can take up hours daily for staff.

Moreover, when a slide is misfiled, it can be challenging to locate and retrieve. This can lead to delayed patient treatment and costly errors.

This can be avoided by installing a specimen tracking system that automatically scans and identifies each slide. The device then sorts them into a magazine and stores the data in a database for easy retrieval.

Increased Productivity

Specimen tracking systems are a great way to help pathology and histology labs save time by automating the process of identifying samples. They also eliminate errors, such as misdiagnosis, by ensuring that all patient specimens receive the necessary care.

In addition to improving efficiency, implementing an STS can also help reduce labor costs by enabling labs to save time spent preparing slides. For example, with barcodes and chemical-resistant labels, technicians can no longer manually write or print histology labels on slides.

Specimens are scanned and tracked as they pass through checkpoints throughout the delivery cycle, providing complete visibility into their location and status. This information is then integrated into laboratory systems, allowing technicians to track and accurately monitor their specimens in real-time. It also helps laboratories manage inventory more effectively, reducing stock-outs.