Accurate And Timely Testing In Molecular Laboratories: Importance Of Accessioning In Laboratory Information System

Summary

• New orders in molecular LIS are accessioned through a systematic process that involves specimen collection, labeling, tracking, and entry into the Laboratory Information System.
• Accessioning ensures that each order is uniquely identified and linked to the correct patient, clinician, and laboratory test, helping to prevent errors and ensure accurate results.
• The molecular LIS plays a crucial role in managing and organizing new orders, allowing laboratories to efficiently process samples, track progress, and deliver timely results to Healthcare Providers.

Introduction

Accurate and timely testing is essential for patient care, diagnosis, and treatment planning in healthcare. In molecular laboratories, new orders for Diagnostic Tests must be carefully accessioned to ensure that specimens are collected, processed, and tested correctly. In this article, we will explore how new orders are accessioned in the molecular Laboratory Information System (LIS) and the importance of this process in maintaining quality and reliability in laboratory testing.

The Accessioning Process

Specimen Collection and Labeling

Before a new order is accessioned in the molecular LIS, a specimen must be collected from the patient and accurately labeled with unique identifiers such as the patient's name, date of birth, and medical record number. Proper specimen collection and labeling are critical to ensure that the sample is correctly linked to the patient and can be tracked throughout the testing process.

Tracking and Transport

Once the specimen is collected and labeled, it is typically transported to the laboratory for processing. During this stage, the specimen is tracked using barcode labels or other tracking systems to ensure that it is handled correctly and does not get lost or misplaced. Proper tracking and transport procedures help prevent errors and maintain the integrity of the sample.

Entry into the LIS

After the specimen arrives at the laboratory, it is accessioned into the molecular LIS. This process involves entering information about the specimen, the ordering physician, and the requested tests into the LIS database. Each order is assigned a unique accession number, which serves as a key identifier for tracking the specimen and linking it to the appropriate patient and test information.

Importance of Accessioning in the Molecular LIS

The accessioning process is crucial for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of laboratory testing in molecular diagnostics. By properly accessioning new orders, laboratories can:

1. Prevent errors: Accurate accessioning helps to ensure that each specimen is correctly linked to the right patient, clinician, and test, reducing the risk of mislabeling, mix-ups, or other errors that can impact Test Results.
2. Track progress: Accessioning allows laboratories to track the progress of each order from collection to testing, monitoring the status of the specimen and ensuring that it is processed in a timely manner.
3. Deliver timely results: Efficient accessioning in the molecular LIS helps laboratories manage their Workflow and prioritize orders, allowing them to deliver accurate Test Results to Healthcare Providers quickly and effectively.

Conclusion

Accurate and efficient accessioning of new orders in the molecular LIS is essential for maintaining the quality and reliability of laboratory testing in healthcare. By following systematic procedures for specimen collection, labeling, tracking, and entry into the LIS, laboratories can ensure that each order is processed correctly and that accurate results are delivered to Healthcare Providers and patients. The molecular LIS plays a crucial role in managing and organizing new orders, enabling laboratories to streamline their Workflow, track orders effectively, and provide timely testing services to support patient care.

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