Importance

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Abstract

Patients in hospitals are pvovided with identification bracelets which display the patient identity number in a machine-readable form, such as a bar code. Blood or other samples are taken from patients by a technician, nurse, or the like who carries a microprocessor-operated device for optically scanning the identification bracelet-coded patient identifications. When the patient ID is read, the device automatically prints out a label for securement to the specimen tube. The label includes the patient's name; ID number; tests to be performed on the specimen sample; and the time and date the sample was drawn. The device is preferably housed in the tray which carries the sample tubes and sampling needles. A connection can be made between a mainframe computer and the device's microprocessor so that the device can confirm to the mainframe computer that all of the samples were drawn, and so that the mainframe computer can preprogram the device to prepare for the next round of specimen samples.

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First Claim