Method for automatic testing of anatomical laboratory specimens

摘要

The method for automatic evaluation, processing and/or testing of an anatomic pathology (including surgical pathology specimens, cytology specimens, autopsy specimens, histology specimens, molecular diagnostics/genetics specimen and any other specimen or part that is submitted to the anatomic pathology laboratory or laboratories) specimen of the present invention includes the initial step of obtaining a specimen to be evaluated and or tested and placing the specimen in a specimen container. Information regarding the specimen and any evaluation, processing and/or testing to be conducted thereon is entered into a computerized laboratory information system (LIS), an anatomic pathology information system (APIS) or Electronic Health Record (EHR) ordering system which is connected to and communicates with any or all parts of an anatomic pathology, histology or molecular diagnostics laboratory automation system (LAS) software. The specimen or sample, (including any part or subpart thereof) is placed into a primary or secondary container labeled with a unique identification code (usually an accession number or a modified accession number or a sequence number or a unique identification number). The container may be placed into a specimen carrier, and the carrier marked with an identification code which uniquely identifies the specimen and, by virtue of the identification code, the evaluation, processing and/or tests to be conducted thereon. The identification code may be in the form of a bar code, an RFID tag or similar device or any other identification that is either human read able, machine readable or electronically transferred. The specimen contained within the specimen container or within the specimen carrier is entered into the anatomic pathology, histology or molecular diagnostics LAS at a receiving station, which reads the identification code and thereby determines:1. If evaluation, processing and/or tests which require process/steps which can be performed at/by variety of workstations;2. If evaluation, processing and/or tests can have certain steps merged in an effort to ensure that they are carried out properly;3. The priority of the specimen relative to other specimens already in the LAS;4. The priority of each evaluation, processing and/or test to be conducted on the specimen; and5. The most direct route from their receiving station to the workstation for conducting the highest priority evaluation, processing and/or test on the specimen.