Abstract
SummaryBackgroundSample classification and registration have been recognized as important and time-consuming processes in laboratories. There is increasing pressure on laboratories to automate processes due to intense workload and reduce manual procedures and errors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the positive effects of an automatic tube registration and sorting system on specimen processing.MethodsAn automatic tube registration and sorting system (HCTS2000 MK2, m-u-t AG, Wedel, Germany) was evaluated. Turnaround time (TAT), rate of sample rejection and unrealized tests were examined 12 months pre- and post-implementation of the automatic tube sorting and registration system.ResultsThe mean TAT of routine chemistry immunoassay, complete blood cell count (CBC) and coagulation samples were significantly improved (P<0.001). The number of rejected samples and unrealized tests was insignificantly decreased post-implementation of the system (0.4% to 0.2% and 4.5% to 1.4%, respectively) (P>0.05).ConclusionsBy reducing delays and errors in the preanalytical processing and sorting of samples, significant improvements in specimen processing were observed after implementation of the system. These results suggest that an automatic tube registration and sorting system may also be used to improve specimen processing in a higher-volume core laboratory.
Highlights
Laboratory centers are faced with variable and difficult tasks throughout the workday and are depended upon to provide reliable laboratory data
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the positive effects of an automatic tube registration and sorting system on specimen processing
By reducing delays and errors in the preanalytical processing and sorting of samples, significant improvements in specimen processing were observed after implementation of the system
Summary
Laboratory centers are faced with variable and difficult tasks throughout the workday and are depended upon to provide reliable laboratory data. A major proportion of difficult tasks in laboratory medicine includes handling errors in patient identification, phlebotomy, sample handling, sample classification and these are critical for the downstream procedures accomplished in the analytical phase [1,2,3]. Registration and sorting of specimens are the initial steps and key procedures in laboratory testing. These initial steps can be done either by automatic systems or manually [4, 5]. There is increasing pressure on laboratories to automate processes due to intense workload and reduce manual procedures and errors [6, 7]. The turnaround time (TAT) is often used by clinicians as an indicator of laboratory performance. Non-analytical delays might be responsible for up to 96% of the total TAT [8, 9]
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