Authors (including presenting author) :
Mak PY(1), Lai ML(1), Kwok FL(1), Lam PH(1), Chiu CWH(1), Leung WK(1), Leung MKW(1), Hui EMT(1), Hui E(1)(2)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Family Medicine, NTEC; (2) Department of Medicine & Geriatrics of Shatin Hospital, NTEC
Introduction :
Specimen collection is a routine and heavy workload among clinics. There is about 100-150 collected specimen each day in GOPC clinics. In usual practice, patients drop down their specimens in a collection box without security lock which located nearby the treatment room. This collection facility is undesirable and has potential risk in missing patient specimens though clinic staffs are in place. Moreover, the specimen bottles in the boxes prone to easy exposing patients’ personal particulars from the labels on the specimen bottles. To ensure the security of collected specimens and to protect patient data privacy, a specimen drop box in a single direction pathway design was created aiming to prevent missing specimen incident occurred.
Objectives :
(1) to ensure all collected specimens are kept in a secure area; (2) to facilitate patient self-assisted in handling specimen collection by drop box; (3) to allow flexible time for specimen collection; (4) to ensure no exposal of patient personal data.
Methodology :
(1) design a specimen drop box in a single direction pathway with swirling tunnel to prevent picking up specimen by others; (2) the specimen drop box is fixed on the floor, non-movable with lockable door, to protect the collected specimens in site before sent out to laboratory. (3) simple and clear instruction of drop box usage was placed on top of the collection box for patients; (4) all specimens only can be drawn out by designated staff.
Result & Outcome :
The specimen drop box provides a secure and effective way in collecting specimen in out-patient setting. 1. New specimen drop boxes start using in 9 GOPC clinics located NTEC since 1st December 2018. 2. New specimen box is eye catching especially for elderly patient and it is an easy way for them to submit specimen. 3. All specimens cannot be taken out by patient after drop off. 4. The flexibility of collection time is enhanced due to self-assisted drop off way. 5. There was no missing specimen reported after using the new specimen drop box by February 2021.
