AUTO7-A

Laboratory Automation: Data Content for Specimen Identification; Approved Standard

NCCLS document AUTO7-A - Laboratory Automation: Data Content for Specimen Identification; Approved Standard was developed to standardize the way specimens are identified. With the consolidation of healthcare facilities and clinical laboratory testing sites for a given healthcare enterprise, specimen processing may be achieved at a variety of sites. This standard allows for specimens from a given enterprise to be processed in a central location. The specimen identification must be able to not only be linked to the patient, but also to the requesting facility. This standard describes the format for specimen numbering that will enable specimens to be processed by independent sites and still be linked to the patient and the requesting facility. The standard is an extension of NCCLS document AUTO2 - Laboratory Automation: Bar Codes for Specimen Container Identification, which defines location and format of the label and the bar code.