To answer the question ‘Why is sample tracking important?’ we need consider why taking a sample (or specimen) is important.
In a healthcare setting, we understand that samples of bodily products such as blood, urine, stool, or body tissue are taken for diagnostic and monitoring purposes.
This is often in the context of a person being unwell or being at risk of disease.
This can be an anxious time for the patient and their loved ones, as the prognosis and treatment options are often directly linked to the results of samples.
As such, it’s of utmost importance that the sample (or specimen) reaches the laboratory for analysis in a timely manner without being compromised in any way.
Failing to do so can have consequences for the patient and can risk the reputation of a healthcare facility if professional and efficient treatment is hindered due to errors in sample analysis.
Reducing human error and ensuring a viable sample explains why sample tracking is important, and MSoft’s Sample360 enables hospitals and other health facilities to achieve that.
What is sample tracking?
Sample tracking is a fundamental part of ensuring that samples arrive at their intended laboratory for analysis so the results can be given to the treating physician or specialist in a timely manner.
Why is sample tracking important?
Unfortunately, many samples either do not arrive, or are no longer in a viable condition when they arrive for analysis.
A professional tracking system like MSoft’s Sample360 can reduce or eliminate the risks associated with sample or specimen loss.
Sample tracking is not just knowing the physical location of a sample, though that is important. Sample tracking includes:
1. Location tracking
2. Temperature tracking
3. Timing tracking
Location tracking
It may be concerning to know that far too often samples do not arrive at the laboratory for analysis.
This risk can be mitigated by Sample360 which tracks not only the geographical location of the sample, but also the internal location of the sample, either within a transport vehicle or building.
Temperature tracking
It’s not enough to know that a sample has arrived at the laboratory for analysis.
The sample must be viable and, for some sample types, this includes being stored and transported at a certain temperature.
MSoft’s Sample360 uses environmental sensors to track the temperature of samples throughout the sample management process, reducing risk of samples becoming degraded due to temperature fluctuations in transit or on arrival at the analysis site.
Timing tracking
A frequent problem in the healthcare sector has been: ‘We have a sample, but we don’t know when it was taken.’
Certain sample types only have a short window of time for viability.
This issue can be resolved through Sample360 technology, which streamlines sample management leading to enhanced efficiency at pre and post-sample collection and tracking providing the ability to quickly identify if the sample is still fit for analysis.
Looking for Efficient Sample Management you can Trust?
Understanding why is sample tracking important, leads to the next question of how can our facility reduce the risk of errors in sample management?
Contact MSoft eSolutions today to find out how Sample360 can revolutionise your sample management.
Related from MSoft360
Why is it important to be able to trace a sample back to the source?
How long can blood samples be stored before testing?
How sample tracking can reduce misdiagnosis
How is proper patient identification made in specimen collection?
What are common pre analytical errors?
How to optimise work processes and reduce laboratory costs
How to improve diagnostic decision-making
