BESYS Trading & Information Systems

Barcode Labeling in the Lab—Closing the
Loop of Patient Safety
Detecting and preventing errors that threaten patient
safety is a closed-loop process that begins at the point
of care, extends to independent laboratories, and then
back to the caregiver. Sample identification and results
reporting errors can lead to misdiagnosis and
inappropriate treatment with deadly consequences. A
2006 Wall Street Journal article reported that while
malpractice claims for pathology errors are relatively
low, they are the second most costly. In addition to
creating a serious risk to patient safety, sample
misidentification creates significant financial
implications. Redraws, retesting and additional
treatment that result from sample errors cost the
healthcare industry an estimated $200 million to $400
million per year