Some things are fun to redo. It’s fun to revisit your favorite book or movie, or return to the best brunch nook. It’s less fun to return to a patient for a redraw because their sample got lost. If your biohazard bag rips, leaks or ends up in the wrong spot because instructions weren’t communicated clearly on your biohazard bags, you could end up with a very unhappy patient.
You’re already under a lot of pressure. You need to make sure you have the right patient, right tube and the right time to draw blood. You go through all the work to make sure you’ve done your job correctly, don’t let your biohazard bag keep the lab from processing your patients’ results.
Testing errors have both a human and a financial cost. An article on Medical Laboratory Observer discusses the challenges of doing multiple draws. If a patient ends up with minor complications, it could impact their patient experience. Although rare, there could also be major complications with serious health risks. Protect your patients and keep their care on track by ensuring the lab receives and processes samples correctly.
What to Look for in a Biohazard Bag
OSHA 1910.1030(g)(1)(i)(A) requires containers that store, transport or ship blood to include a biohazard label1. Even with this standard, the 2019 article in Medical Lab Management found that transportation was a major issue contributing to lost samples at the laboratory2. The lab has taken steps to improve communication with couriers and receiving policies. Have you considered the steps you could take to ensure samples reach the lab?
Related: Check out the Missing Specimen Form from the Medical Lab Management article.
Clear Communication
Start by using a bag that clearly labels requirements. One of Caresfield’s most popular biohazard bags is a 6”x9” three-wall zip top closure with an absorbent insert. It includes checkboxes for storage requirements and an easy-tear top. It protects your specimen and gives the lab clear instructions for storage.
In addition, Caresfield offers color-coded STAT bags. This helps the lab prioritize samples for testing, and may help reduce the risk of lost samples.
Related: Caresfield Saves Money, Solves Problems
Reliable Supply
Having a great tool or solution is worthless if it’s not available when you need it. If you run out of biohazard bags, you can’t send samples to the lab. You won’t be able to diagnose and treat your patients. What if you get backordered? Suddenly you are looking at weeks or months without bags.
It’s a nightmare, but you can order confidently with Caresfield. We have a reliable stock in our U.S. warehouses. We also offer free samples and same-day shipping on orders placed by 2 p.m. Central.
Reduce Expensive Biohazard Waste
To help protect the financial health of your facility, consider specimen bags with a tearaway biohazard symbol. Instead of throwing every bag in with expensive biohazard waste, if the bag is not soiled or contaminated by the specimen you can remove the symbol and discard the bag in your regular trash bin.
Ready to start using new biohazard bags to improve communication and enhance the patient experience? Request a sample today!
Sources
- OSHA 1910.1030(g)(1)(i)(A) https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030#1910.1030%28g%29%281%29%28i%29. Accessed June 20, 2022
- Kayla Fahey-Ahrndt, MLS(ASCP)CM, SBB CM Marya Awker, MLS(ASCP), SCYM(ASCP) Vicki Erickson, MT, Reducing Lost Specimens One Day at a Time, Medical Lab Management Sept. 2019, Vol. 8 No. 8, https://www.medlabmag.com/article/1591, accessed June 20, 2022
