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Kaiser Permanente Northern California Regional Laboratory Turns to General Data for Bar Code Slide Labeling Solution
StainerShield Offers Consistent Readability of Bar Codes for Labs' Automated Bar Code Readers and Storage Robotics
| Source: General Data Company
CINCINNATI, OH -- (MARKET WIRE) -- November 14, 2006 -- General Data Company, Inc., a leading
provider of specialized labeling and identification products and solutions,
today announced that Kaiser Permanente Northern California Regional
Laboratory has selected General Data's StainerShield slide labeling
solution to deliver a consistently readable bar code for the lab's
automated bar code readers and storage robotics. As a result of
StainerShield's durability and readability, the lab was able to replace two
labels, one used prior to staining, the other following the staining
process. StainerShield is designed to withstand a number of lab protocols
that include exposure to the harshest chemicals, solvents and stains.
The Northern California Regional Laboratory is a high-volume regionalized
cytology laboratory processing 300,000-500,000 cervical cancer screening
tests (Pap plus HPV) per year. The lab needed a specimen identification
label that would consistently print a clear bar code, and that would have a
high success rate for the labs automated Pap screening system laser bar
code readers, and HPV reflex specimen storage and retrieval robotics. In
addition, the bar code label needed to stand up to staining solutions and
solvents if re-coverslipping of the slide was ever necessary.
"We tested ten different label products and also shipped them to our
automation vendor for evaluation of their specs and technical performance
measured by their engineers," said Barbara Fetterman, cytopathology
assistant manager, research and development at Kaiser Permanente Northern
California Regional Laboratory. "We tested both before and after exposure
to the laboratory chemicals, and the StainerShield labels were far superior
to any of the other labels tested both for adherence and readability after
staining, and for the precision of the bar code read."
StainerShield labels are part
of General Data's StainerShield family of products and technologies
designed for effective bar code-based identification and tracking of tissue
cassettes and specimen slides in medical and research labs. StainerShield
labels can be formatted to print a variety of patient and case-specific
information in text and bar code format. The labels may be applied to the
specimen slides before the slides are exposed to the lab's staining
process. StainerShield ensures a permanent and readable bar code
identifier that can be used to positively identify and track the slide
through staining, automated and human analysis, and archiving.
StainerShield labels are also used in the robotic HPV freezer system where
test tubes are picked, verified and sorted for reflex testing based upon
the bar code.
Fetterman added, "The most important benefit of the StainerShield labels is the very
low rejection rate of the bar codes as they are processed by our
instrumentation. The readability of these bar codes printed locally by our
Zebra printers is as good as or better than the preprinted bar code labels
that we had been using."
"We are pleased to be working with the Northern California Regional
Laboratory, which is on the cutting edge of using technology to improve lab
workflow and test accuracy," said Peter Wenzel, president of General Data. "With its artificial
intelligence and advanced implementation, the lab had some unique labeling
requirements. StainerShield was able to provide the durability necessary
for the bar codes to survive the lab's staining processes, and the print
quality and readability required to provide an accurate scan by the lab's
automated readers. We look forward to a successful, long-term partnership
with the lab."
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente, founded in 1945, is a non-profit integrated health care
organization, with physicians, nurses and staff working in collaboration to
provide high quality care to patients and address the health care needs of
communities served by the organization. The Kaiser Permanente Northern
California Region serves almost 3.2 million members. It includes 6,400
physicians in The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG) and about 54,000
employees. The region has 19 major medical centers. Each year, Kaiser
Permanente donates about $300 million to a variety of community programs
and agencies in Northern California.
About General Data Company
General Data Company is a leading provider of specialized labeling and
identification products and solutions. The company's patent-pending
healthcare and laboratory identification technologies are designed to
improve patient safety and care, reduce medical errors, facilitate patient
administration and provide consumers with peace of mind and confidence in
their health care providers. General Data is recognized as the premiere
provider of integrated bar code identification and data collection products
and solutions that enable businesses in a variety of industries to become
more efficient and make better decisions. Founded in 1981, General Data is
a privately held company with headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. More
information on General Data can be found at http://www.general-data.com.