Fast Bar Codes
Let's suppose your information system test database prints at least one barcode specimen label for each test. This label contains the patient name, account number, test order number, a description of the test, and the barcode itself. Now suppose a new barcode label type is available that adds the date of birth and room location.
That would be nice. But you look at your test database:
- 1000 orderable items
- 6-digit item code number
- 3 mouse clicks to get to the barcode field
- 1 keystroke to change and hit ESC twice to return
At twenty seconds each test, that's thousands of keystrokes and clicks adding up to almost 5 ½ hours of payroll time. Mistakes and distractions add time. Printing a database report can pinpoint errors, adding more time. And don't forget the list of item numbers to read and check off. Figure eight hours to be safe.
Wow. Still, you really want that date of birth on those specimen barcode labels.
There are three basic strategies:
- brute force – hire someone to sit for a day and pound it out
- discrete – work your way down, starting with the most commonly ordered test
- divide and conquer – divvy up the task between many techs over many days to lessen the blow
But wait! Computers are designed to perform mindless tasks. A simple script – a list of plain text instructions – can send keystrokes and mouse clicks to the information system and do the job in minutes, even "reading" and checking off a list. Without mistakes.
If the request is common, your IS vendor may already be able to do this at no extra cost. That's worth a telephone call. If not, there are many scripting languages available, some of which are used by your IT department. There are also freeware languages out there that can easily be programmed (as in plain English syntax) in Notepad. You'll be surprised how easy it is, with a little computer savvy, to make the beast burden your load. After all, eight hours is a day off. Maybe yours.