How important are hospital laboratories? The CDC estimates that 70% of medical decisions are based on laboratory test results. Whether it’s a test tube, vial, or microscope slide, the accuracy and timeliness of the specimen analysis are critical. In fact, delays can have a negative impact on patient care and experience, and they account for 80% of complaints made to labs. Although staffing challenges are a common culprit, there are other issues that slow down processing and impact patient care. For example, the specimen and microscope slide labeling process may appear simple but the chemicals, temperature extremes, and even regular handling that occurs in a laboratory can cause an improperly specified label to detach or become illegible. And if that happens, specimen and patient data is lost, impacting the timeliness of test results. For cytologic, histologic, and other clinical microscopy, use these slide labeling steps to ensure a smooth and accurate process.

Challenges In Microscope Labeling

When a specimen undergoes processing and analysis in a lab, it is often exposed to chemicals and temperature extremes. And when labels fail, these conditions are the primary culprits. In addition to testing, a microscope label must maintain its integrity through numerous additional steps, from the initial collection to transportation, processing, storage and more. Each step demands labels that not only survive but remain clear and legible.

Label Durability Against Chemical Exposure

When analyzing tissues, fixation and staining enable a more thorough analysis. Fixation preserves the shape of cells as much as possible while staining causes cells to take on contrasting colors making it easier to see and study. During this analysis, slides are subjected to chemicals including acetone, ethanol, iodine, xylene and more. Standard labels may degrade when exposed to such substances, leading to loss of critical information. Instead, microscope slide labels require materials resistant to staining chemicals.

Maintaining Legibility Through Temperature Variations

- 196° C to 132° C.

That’s not the temperature range on another planet but fluctuations that can occur in a medical lab. From freezing specimens to autoclaving for sterilization, temperature extremes are commonplace. Labels must maintain their reliability through these extremes to ensure a slide is traceable and identifiable at every stage of examination.

Supporting Regulatory Compliance and Safety

Many medical laboratories gain accreditation from organizations including The Joint Commission and ISO. These certifications help identify laboratory efficiency improvements, reduce costs and, most importantly, elevate safety and the quality of patient care.

Labels play an important role in maintaining compliance. For example, The Joint Commission standards address processes that “follow specimens through the laboratory from the time of collection to the time of result reporting.” In addition, National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG) NPSG.02.03.01 requires that critical results of tests and diagnostic procedures are reported on a timely basis. Although it’s a small part of the process, microscope slide labeling plays an essential role. If a test fails because the specimen didn’t contain a chemical-resistant lab label, it impacts the test results, patient care and compliance.

For organizations that don’t have direct affiliation with a hospital system, ISO 15189 is a compliance standard that specifies the quality and competence required for medical laboratories. From chain of custody at the time of initial patient contact to the security of the specimen, labeling is an essential part of gaining and maintaining compliance.

Solutions for Efficient Re-Labeling

When microscope slides are transferred between departments or samples undergo re-examination, they may require relabeling. Updating slide labels without compromising the original data integrity is vital. For example, using X allows you to add newly printed information without concealing any of the existing data.

Integrating Labels with Laboratory Information Systems (LIS)

Laboratory Information Systems enable workflows that allow specimen tracking within and across sites starting from the point of collection. LIS systems, including Epic, Cerner, Meditech, and more, integrate with the hospital EHR systems and measure common lab metrics. In addition, they allow for bedside patient specimen collection. Once the specimen is collected, a direct thermal label is printed and applied to the microscope slide using mobile or desktop printers. This enables quick scanning and accurate tracking, reducing human errors and improving workflow efficiency.

Adapting to New Staining Protocols

There have been a number of recent advancements in staining protocols for medical laboratories. For example, a new system from Roche improves the consistency and quality of tissue staining, eliminating the need for xylene and alcohol and the potential exposure to these harmful chemicals. However, the system still uses other reagents that can cause labels to degrade or become illegible.

To ensure microscope labels maintain their integrity, take these steps:

• Label Placement: Ensure labels are placed in areas that do not interfere with tissue sections or imaging paths.
• Quality Testing: Conduct preliminary tests to verify the performance of thermal labels under the specific conditions of your staining and imaging protocols.
• Supplier Consultation: Work with label suppliers, like United Ad Label, to obtain labels specifically designed for laboratory use, ensuring they meet the necessary chemical and thermal resistance standards.

United Ad Label

United Ad Label produces a wide range of stock and custom healthcare labeling solutions specifically tailored for the rigorous demands of laboratory environments. Each product is designed to ensure label integrity, readability, and durability, even when exposed to the chemical and temperature challenges faced during laboratory processes. Contact us to learn more.