Spirit Data Capture provide Motorola cordless imagers for Cardiff Toxicology Laboratories

Healthcare is one of the many sectors that has benefited from advances

in mobile data capture technology, which is used In a host of different

applications. One organisation that has recently upgraded to one of the

latest cordless imagers is the Cardiff Toxicology Laboratories. The

laboratories are using the Motorola DS6878-HC, sourced by Spirit Data

Capture Limited. This has already led to improvements in efficiency by

streamlining the processing of analytical requests.


The Cardiff Toxicology Laboratories are based at University Hospital

Llandough, which is part of the Cardiff and Vale University Health

Board, one of the largest NHS organisations in the UK. The laboratories

are accredited according to CPA (Clinical Pathology Accreditation)

standards and deliver analytical toxicology services to healthcare

providers, research institutions and industry.


Every analytical request that passes through the laboratories is

allocated a unique seven-digit number that acts as the primary

identifier in all subsequent operations. Originally, the department

used to enter these numbers manually, but this proved to be an

inefficient and labour-intensive procedure that was prone to error. The

laboratories therefore decided to explore the use of barcodes and

electronic readers, with the aim of removing data entry errors and

increasing throughput.


Initially, the department bought some barcode readers that were

physically connected to a PC via a USB cable. However, it recently

decided to upgrade these to a more versatile system.


Cable-free data capture

Dr Alun Hutchings, Consultant Analytical Toxicologist with the Cardiff

Toxicology Laboratories, explains: "We needed devices that were robust

and reliable, that were programmable and were cable-free. I explained

our requirements to Spirit Data Capture and they recommended the

Motorola DS6878-HC. They loaned a device to us and I was very impressed

with it."


The Motorola DS6878-HC is a cordless imager developed specifically for

the healthcare sector. It has been designed to enable hospitals to

automate data capture, improve data accuracy, increase productivity and

streamline everyday processes in patient rooms, laboratories and the

pharmacy. It uses Bluetooth technology and can capture any 1D or 2D

barcodes as well as signatures, documents, still photographs and videos.


The imager's high performance scanning capabilities (which include rapid

and accurate scanning even on poor quality barcodes) is complemented by

the device's excellent levels of reliability. It has a lightweight,

ergonomic design but is extremely rugged.


The laboratories have now installed the Motorola imagers and are using

them to read the primary identifier (the seven-digit number) on every

request. The devices are uses for request registration on the

Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), with subsequent data

entry and results authorisation.


The Motorola DS6878-HC imagers are also used conjunction with the

department's GCMS (Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry) system, for

the creation of work lists prior to analysis. These lists can include

well over 100 numbers, so the scanner is programmed to read in the data

followed by a down-arrow command.


Dr Hutchings comments: "The Motorola units enable us to create the work

lists in an error-free way and in significantly less time than it would

take to perform the task manually."


Increased efficiency

He adds: "So far, the Motorola imagers have been performing perfectly.

They have boosted the efficiency of our analytical request operations

whilst also reducing the risk of any errors. Their programmability also

makes them very flexible. At the same time, the users are very pleased

with them because they make their data entry tasks easier to accomplish.


"Since loaning us the first device, Spirit have offered us assistance in

setting up the units we have purchased and programming them. They have

provided us with an excellent service throughout and I would definitely

use them again in the future."