EMR Point of Care Specimen Collection was recently implemented to improve patient safety and enhance the workflow for all staff who collect pathology specimens by using barcode scanners to identify patients and accurately mark specimens as collected.

Since the implementation we’ve seen an increase in the numbers of phlebotomists collecting blood samples and a significant drop in nurses performing blood collections which means nurses have more time to complete other nursing interventions.

Most clinicians have quickly adapted to using barcode scanners to positively identify patients (Positive Patient Identification, PPID) and accurately mark specimens as collection (Positive Accession Identification, PAID) which is a great outcome for patient safety.

The EMR team are happy to assist clinicians who would like further information on how to use the barcode scanners with the Point of Care Specimen Collection workflow.

Please contact EMR Analyst, Jennifer Penese AlaitupuJennifer.Penese@wh.org.au  to discuss this further.

Please also view the following video where Western Health clinicians Julia and Daniel step through Point of Care Specimen Collection for Nurses, Midwives and Medical Officers.

In addition the following training modules can be found on  WeLearn under:

Mandatory Training > Electronic Medical Record:

• Pathology Collection via Specimen Collection Application (Phlebotomist)
• Pathology Collection via Specimen Collection Application (Nurse, Midwife and Medical Officer)