OPTICAL MARKINGS
A method and system for cumulatively associating manufacture data and patient data with disposable equipment, particularly sample collection containers, in a medical or laboratory environment by permanently affixing unique code labels to the disposable equipment.
1 . A method of manufacturing a uniquely identifiable sample collection container comprising:
providing a sample collection container with a permanently affixed code label; and
associating manufacture data of the sample collection container with the code label using a scanner configured to read the code label.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the code label comprises at least one of a barcode and a DOT.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein manufacture data comprises at least one of a lot number, a place of manufacture, a type of sample tube, a date of manufacture, an expiration date and at least one chemical additive.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sample collection container is a sample tube.
5 . A method of controlling processes in a medical work flow system comprising:
permanently affixing a unique code label to a sample collection container;
associating the sample collection container manufacture data with the code label; and
associating patient data with the code label.
6 . The method of claim 5 further comprising providing the sample collection container to a health care worker.
7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the code label comprises at least one of a barcode and a DOT.
8 . The method of claim 5 , wherein manufacture data comprises at least one of a lot number, a place of manufacture, a type of sample collection container, a date of manufacture, an expiration date and a chemical additive.
9 . The method of claim 5 further comprising scanning a patient identification.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein patient identification comprises a wristband.
11 . The method of claim 5 further comprising scanning a nurse identification badge.
12 . The method of claim 5 further comprising scanning a hospital employee identification badge.
13 . The method of claim 5 , wherein patient data comprises at least one of a patient name, a patient age, a patient date of birth, a hospital name, a phlebotomist electronic signature, a time of use of the sample tube, a patient record number, a patient diagnosis, a type of patient sample and a set of ordered tests.
14 . A uniquely identifiable sample collection container comprising:
sample collection container; and
a unique code permanently affixed to the sample collection container,
wherein the sample collection container manufacture data is associated with the code.
15 . The sample collection container of claim 14 , wherein the unique code comprises at least one of a barcode and a DOT.
16 . The sample collection container of claim 14 , wherein the manufacture information comprises at least one of a lot number, a place of manufacture, a type of sample tube, a date of manufacture, an expiration date and at least one chemical additive.
17 . The sample collection container of claim 14 , wherein the sample collection container is a sample tube.
18 . A system for uniquely identifying sample collection container in a medical or research environment comprising:
sample collection container;
a unique code label permanently affixed to the sample collection container; and
a hand held scanner configured to cumulatively associate with the code label at least one of manufacturer data and patient data.
19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the scanner is configured to alert a user to specific sample collection container manufacture data.
20 . The system of claim 18 , wherein manufacture data comprises at least one of a lot number, a place of manufacture, a type of sample tube, a date of manufacture, an expiration date and at least one chemical additive.
21 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the patient data comprises at least one of a patient name, a patient age, a patient date of birth, a hospital name, a phlebotomist electronic signature, a time of use of the sample tube, a patient record number, a patient diagnosis, a type of patient sample and a set of ordered tests.
22 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the hand held scanner further comprises a wireless transceiver.
23 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the hand held scanner further comprises a processor.
24 . A method of storing or delivering milk to an infant comprising:
providing a uniquely identifiable sample collection container configured to store milk for an infant;
providing a label permanently affixed to the uniquely identifiable sample collection container, wherein the label comprises a code, wherein the code is associated with manufacture data about the sample collection container, patient data about the infant and the origin of the milk;
providing milk from a milk provider; and
delivering the sample collection container and the milk to an infant.
25 . The method of claim 24 further comprising storing the sample collection container and the milk.
26 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the sample collection container is a bottle or a jar.