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Correct labelling of Blood Sciences Samples

Accurate and clear labelling of Blood Sciences samples is critical for patient safety. Barcodes must be applied correctly, be fully legible, and positioned according to guidance to allow reliable scanning and processing. Incorrectly labelled samples may result in delays or rejection.

Do

  • It is essential that barcodes are applied to Blood Sciences samples with the patient demographics at the top of the tube as shown in the first picture below

Do not

  • The barcode scanners cannot read the barcode if the label is positioned upside down or crumpled, and this could lead to a significant delay in the processing of the patients’ samples.
Important advice:

Please check that:

  • The label is clear, and is not faded, scratched or crumpled, and that there are no details missing due to poor label printer alignment.
  • The barcode is straight with the patient’s name at the top and the lab number reading down the tube.
  • The e-record label is placed over the manufacturers label so that sample in the tube is visible and the two labels align at the top
  • That no additional addressograph label is applied to the sample if an e-record sticker is used.