LIMS Barcode Generation
Before a sample is collected from a patient, the system must generate adhesive barcode stickers for the sample containers. Each sticker carries the patient's name, the test name, and a unique barcode that links the physical container to the patient's investigation record throughout the lab workflow.
Generate barcodes after the lab bill is saved and before the phlebotomist draws the sample. The sticker must be on the container before the sample is handed to the lab.
- Go to Menu > Lab > Sample Collection or open the Laboratory Dashboard.
- Search for the patient's bill using:
- The bill barcode (scan the barcode printed on the bill receipt), or
- The patient name, registration number, or mobile number, or
- The bill number.
- The system displays all investigations on that bill with their current status.
- Select the investigations for which you want to generate stickers (or select all).
- Click Generate Barcodes (or Print Stickers).
- The system generates one sticker per sample container required. If a single blood draw is used for multiple tests in the same tube type, those tests share one sticker.
- Confirm the print dialog on your label printer. The stickers print immediately.
In automated laboratories, a dedicated standalone application is available at the phlebotomy station.
- Open the standalone sample collection application on the phlebotomy workstation.
- Point the barcode reader at the bill barcode on the patient's bill receipt.
- The application immediately identifies the patient and the tests ordered.
- Barcoded stickers are printed automatically on the connected label printer.
- The system records that barcodes have been generated for each investigation (status moves to Barcode Generated).
If a sticker is damaged, printed incorrectly, or lost:
- Find the investigation using the bill barcode or patient search.
- Look for the Reprint Sticker or Regenerate Barcode option next to the affected investigation.
- A new sticker prints with the same barcode number.
Note: Reprinting a sticker does not change the investigation's status. The barcode number remains the same.
Each printed sticker contains:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Patient name | Full name as registered |
| Patient ID / Registration number | For identification at the lab |
| Investigation name | The test being ordered |
| Sample type | e.g., Venous Blood, Urine, Swab |
| Container / tube colour | e.g., EDTA (purple), Plain (red) |
| Barcode | Machine-readable code linking to the investigation record |
| Date and time | When the sticker was generated |
- Always paste the sticker on the container before drawing the sample — never label unlabelled tubes.
- If collecting multiple tubes from one patient, verify that each tube has the correct sticker before the patient leaves.
- For paediatric or small-volume collections where a single tube serves multiple tests, one sticker is sufficient — do not paste duplicate stickers on the same tube.
- Barcode readers at the lab reception will scan this sticker to accept the sample. A sticker that is wrinkled or smeared may cause scan failures; reprint if in doubt.