“We believe that the BD v-notch labeling system, when used in conjunction with the v-notch label, manufactured by our industry partners at TimeMed, will allow tremendous efficiencies to be realized in clinical laboratories throughout the U.S.,” commented Steve Sichak, President, BD Diagnostics – Preanalytical Systems.  “We believe that the BD and TimeMed v-notch labeling system can reduce the number of misaligned label errors, creating instrument-readable labels the first time, and minimizing the need for relabeling.”

Collectively, these issues translate into workflow inefficiencies and potential instrument downtime. A recent workflow analysis indicated that the cost to relabel a specimen was $.76* per specimen.  In a facility where 200,000 tubes are used annually, if misalignments requiring relabeling occur at a rate of 5 percent, the potential cost savings can be as much as $7,600 per year. 

“The new label also improves patient safety since it is designed to prevent errors that can occur during the relabeling process,” stated Stankovic of BD Diagnostics.

In March 2005, all BD Vacutainer Plus Plastic Tubes were restyled to include a visual guide to aid in the proper placement of secondary labels.  These v-notched secondary labels manufactured by TimeMed are made to align over the newly restyled BD Vacutainer Plus Plastic Tube label design and are also compatible with the BD.id™ Patient Identification System for Specimen Management.  The BD.id System helps ensure that specimens are collected from the right patient at the right time, placed into the right specimen container, subjected to the right tests and that test results are linked back to the right patient, thus enhancing patient safety. 

Misaligned secondary labeling (one example of which is shown on the left) means extra work and reduced efficiency in the laboratory. Properly applied secondary label is shown on the right.

“We are proud to be partnering with BD,” said Shari Dause, Director of Marketing at TimeMed.  “BD Vacutainer blood collection tubes are known as the gold standard in the industry.   With this new feature for specimen collection tubes, we are working together to help our customers, diagnosticians and pathologists, improve patient care.” 

BD is a medical technology company that serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public. BD manufactures and sells a broad range of medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment and diagnostic products. To learn more about BD, please visit www.bd.com.