Bar code project

Success for NHS Number Bar-coded Label

18^th May 2011

Bar-coded NHS numbers are being added to newborn blood spot screening cards improving the traceability of samples. This is intended to reduce the risk of any sample being missed and a child not being promptly diagnosed with a serious but treatable condition.

The bar-code labels have been implemented in 179 out of 246 (73%) maternity units across England. Twenty-eight units (12%) are awaiting a software upgrade/build therefore cannot produce labels at this time. Thirty-two units (13%) have yet to submit a label but they have the required software to comply. Seven units (3%) have bar-codes that fail to scan but the NHS number is present in eye-readable format, these units have been requested to resolve and submit another label.

The bar-coded NHS number label utilises the uniqueness of the NHS number as an identifier for the baby to enable secure tracking through the screening pathway. The label is produced following notification of birth when the baby's NHS number is allocated. A printed label bearing eye-readable demographics is generated from the Birth Notification Dataset that is combined with the eye-readable and bar-coded NHS number. The health professional taking the blood sample (usually on day 5 after birth) must check with the parent that all fields of the label and blood spot card are correct and make any changes necessary. The label is then attached to each sheet of the card at the time of taking the sample. The label has the dual benefit of preventing transcribing errors whether by health professionals taking the sample or laboratory staff reading and entering the NHS number and of accelerating accurate data-entry into laboratory information systems.

Success has resulted from many factors demonstrating the ability of varied agencies within and outwith the NHS to work together to achieve a common goal:

• cooperation from system suppliers in making the functionality available in the correct format
• huge efforts by individual maternity units and trusts and the regional screening teams
• coordination by the UK Newborn Screening Programme Centre

The Programme Centre continues to verify labels from maternity units across England, as part of the implementation process.

Any queries on bar coded labels are to be sent to Radhika Rajani at the Programme Centre. Labels which need to be verified are to have all patient identifiable material "blacked" out. Please send to the following address:

Radhika Rajani
Project Assistant
UK Newborn Screening Programme Centre
Level 5, Frontage Building
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust
Great Ormond Street
London
WC1N 3JH