This document summarizes a presentation about an automated phlebotomy tube labeller (APTL). The current process for collecting samples has issues like errors in filling forms, generating barcodes, and labeling tubes. An APTL integrates with the hospital system to automatically select the correct tube type and pre-label it based on the test requisition. It improves patient safety by reducing labeling errors, increases efficiency by automating tasks, and provides statistical data for monitoring. Benefits include decreased errors, space and staffing needs, and costs from errors. The APTL represents a leaner and cleaner future for sample collection.

1. CEUTEH‘16
Dr Sudip Kr Datta
• MBBS, MD (Biochemistry)
• Asst Professor, Dept. of Lab Medicine
• Before joining AIIMS worked as faculty in VMMC & Safdarjung
Hospital and PGIMER, Chandigarh.
• Currently looking after Clinical Biochemistry services in AIIMS
and has several research publications in the field of Clinical
Biochemistry.
• Active member of professional bodies like ACBI, AMBI and
ALPI.
• Certified Internal auditor for NABL.
• Actively involved in implementation and development of LIS
at AIIMS

2. Automated
phlebotomy tube labeller
Dr Sudip Kr Datta
Asst Prof, Lab Medicine

3. Need for use of technology
• Importance of diagnostic tests in overall
patient care
• Ever-increasing number of patients and
number of diagnostic tests
• Growing demand for infrastructure v/s
appropriate usage of technology

4. Automation in laboratory medicine

5. Automation in analytical phase

6. Automation in post-analytical phase

7. Pre-analytical phase
Central Collection
Facility

8. Existing sample collection process
OPD Tests ordered by clinicians
OPD counters
Appointments for lab tests
generated
Registration
counter
Electronic test requisition forms
(eTRF) filled
Registration
counter
Bar codes generated and pasted
on appropriate tubes
Phlebotomy
desk
Phlebotomy done and samples
taken
Sorting and
despatch
Samples sorted and sent to
different labs

9. Problems in existing process
OPD Tests ordered by clinicians
OPD counters
Appointments for lab tests
generated
Registration
counter
Electronic test requisition forms
(eTRF) filled
Registration
counter
Bar codes generated and pasted
on appropriate tubes
Phlebotomy
desk
Phlebotomy done and samples
taken
Sorting and
despatch
Samples sorted and sent to
different labs

10. Problems with the existing system
• Transcriptional errors while filling eTRF
• Generation of wrong bar codes:
– Mismatch of patient’s identity and UHID
• Wrong tubes used for sampling
• Wrong bar codes pasted on tubes
• Bar codes pasted wrongly on tubes

11. What is an APTL ?

12. Functionalities
• Integrates with Hospital LIS
• Automatic Tube Selection
– Accepts any kinds of tubes with diameter 12-
17mm and 75-100mm length.
– Blank tubes can be loaded from the machine front
by opening the independent drawer.
• Easy to Use
– Prepares patients kits right after data comes from
LIS/HIS. No further operation necessary.

13. • Pre-Label Detection
– Detects the label by tube supplier and labelling is
done exactly on the same position.
• Auto-check facility
• Individual patient kit
Functionalities

14. • Output channels
– Horizontal output may be used for routine
– Stacker output may be used as STAT for priority
patients.
• Statistical Data
– Built-in software displays statistical data regarding
tube consumption and patient distribution etc. on
a daily, weekly or monthly basis
– Enables tracking of samples.
Functionalities

15. OPD LIS Regn desk
Output
Phlebotomy
desk
APTL
Bar codes

16. Benefits
• Ensures patient safety: ↓ Labelling errors
• Efficiency
– ↓ Human intervention: ↓ bio-hazards
• Speed
• Cost effectiveness
– ↓ space requirements
– ↓ infrastructure requirements
– ↓ manpower requirements
– ↓ Cost due to errors

17. Lean and clean future
Thank you