Pathology labs will now have an easier time keeping track of specimens, thanks to a new solution by ODIN that automates tracking and data entry in pathology labs, reducing errors in specimen labeling while saving on resources and staffing, and possibly, lives.
Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit provider in medical care, research and education, has selected ODIN as its radio frequency identification (RFID) software collaborator to replace and upgrade its legacy RFID system and commercialize the patented technology. Mayo is implementing ODIN's EasySpecimen RFID solution across its 42 GI/Colorectal Endoscopy suites and Anatomic Pathology Laboratory at its Rochester, MN facilities.
The solution uses ODIN’s patented RFID operating system software, combining it with passive RFID hardware and RFID tags to provide medical centers an integrated RFID tracking solution for pathology specimen management. EasySpecimen software is based on ODIN’s EasyEdge, pad readers lab desks, and passive RFID specimen tags based on ISO standards. It tracks anatomical pathology samples through the full life cycle of testing, through the lab to the doctor’s file.
Pathology labs almost universally receive paper requisition forms with accompanying specimens for processing. These paper requisition forms are typically filled-in by hand from nursing staff and clinical providers.
This practice represents a major source of specimen labeling errors (sometimes as high as 10%), all of which have the potential for adverse outcomes for patients.
The reduction of errors comes from elimination of handwritten or barcode labels that are often misread, miscopied or lost. The elimination of handwritten labels also means a significant waste reduction and cost savings in a typical pathology lab.
Mayo treats more than half a million people each year and also has facilities in Jacksonville, Fla., and Phoenix. Mayo's goal with the RFID implementation, which was tested for five months at several of the Rochester hospital's endoscopy suites, is to improve and enhance patient care and safety.
Mayo's Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology has been working for four years developing an RFID system for specimen tracking within the GI/Colorectal Surgery Endoscopy Practice. In 2010, the Mayo team selected ODIN as its RFID software collaborator to replace and upgrade its legacy RFID system and commercialize the patented technology. Mayo is implementing the EasySpecimen™ RFID solution across its 42 GI/Colorectal Endoscopy suites and Anatomic Pathology Laboratory on the Rochester, MN campus.
ODIN estimates an expected return on investment for the system to be under 12 months for a typical lab.
Deborah DiSesa Hirsch is an award-winning health and technology writer who has worked for newspapers, magazines and IBM in her 20-year career. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Rich Steeves
