24. February 2021

Use GUID labels to retrieve diagnostic findings securely and easily via a QR scan

Read-out errors occurred in laboratories in the past few months when using GUID Codes on blank forms of the 10C and OEGE type to retrieve findings. In response to requests by various laboratory customers, Mediaform has developed GUID label sets that both solve the readability problem and, in the long term, also enable data-protection-compliant findings transfer for other diagnostic findings.

Problems arose mainly in the availability of Types 10C and OEGD and in the inadequate quality of the GUID Codes (Globally Unique Identifier). This led to errors in the electronic capture of specifically generated identification numbers generated according to the guidelines of the German National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV). Subsequent manual entry of the 43-character code, or renewed scanning using a hand scanner, entail significant expenditure of time and effort.

Mediaform’s new GUID identification label sets provide a remedy. They consist of a laboratory label and a patient label, and are supplied on a roll in a convenient dispenser box and with a perforation after each set of labels. Both labels carry the same GUID code. These globally unique numbers are generated using software developed by Mediaform. The laboratory label carries a datamatrix code, and is stuck onto the request note and sent to the corresponding laboratory together with the specimen. The patient label carries a QR code and, after the sample/specimen is taken, is given to the patient to allow data retrieval of the laboratory results. This enables a patient to use apps or browser-assisted findings information systems to retrieve diagnostic findings online in compliance with data protection by scanning the QR code. The QR code can also be used for the Coronavirus warning app, of course. This minimises as far as possible the expenditure of time for laboratories and patients.
A system that is currently in successful practical use for Covid-19 findings is also imaginable for various other diagnostic findings in the medium term.

All that doctor’s practices or clinics require for this is a roll of GUID labels. Here again, all that needs to be done is to stick the label with the datamatrix code onto the respective request note, and the matching label with the QR code to the patient’s accompanying note. The inspection of additional diagnostic findings for patients would also be conceivable. Each doctor decides individually whether inspection of the finding is permissible without a doctor’s consultation. Use by doctors is also possible, e.g. to shorten findings times if these can already be viewed electronically beforehand.

Order clients of diagnostic services outside the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians – e.g. private patients, the German Federal Armed Forces or occupational medical services – can enable their patients to inspect a finding quickly and easily by using GUID label sets.

 

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Press contact

Martina Clerc
Corporate communications/PR

+49 40 - 72 73 60 320

Martina.Clerc(at)mediaform.de