CINCINNATI, OH – May 9, 2006 – General Data, a leading provider of specialized labeling and identification solutions, today announced that the College of American Pathologists (CAP) has clarified the intent of its Lab Accreditation Program Inspection Checklist question, ANP.21150, regarding bar-coded labels for specimen slides. General Data has been working with CAP on clarification of the guidelines associated with ANP.21150, which states: “Are slides identified adequately?” The published guidelines have created confusion among laboratory professionals who want to use General Data’s StainerShield bar code labels to identify specimen slides. In response to a question posted in the “Queries and Comments” section of the Laboratory Accreditation Program News published in the April 2006 edition of CAP Today, the chairman of the CAP checklist committee clarified the intent of checklist question ANP.21150 by stating: “It is acceptable to use bar-coded labels on such slides. The labels are useful for tracking specimens and reducing errors.”1 CAP plans to release a revised edition of its anatomic pathology checklist in the fall, which will “more clearly indicate that bar-coded labels are acceptable.”2 The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program Inspection Checklists are used by labs across the country to prepare for inspections by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of CAP. “A number of CAP-accredited labs have expressed their desire to use our StainerShield solution, but have hesitated because of their interpretation of previously published CAP-approved processes and procedures,” said Peter Wenzel, president of General Data. “Fortunately, these labs can rest assured that by implementing our StainerShield solution they will meet CAP accreditation standards. The use of bar code technology for identification and tracking of specimens and slides helps labs become much more efficient by streamlining workflow and greatly reducing misidentification errors; this is something that CAP strongly advocates.” General Data designed its industry-leading specimen identification solution, StainerShield, specifically for laboratory applications. StainerShield enables a lab to utilize bar code ID technology to identify and track cassette blocks and specimen slides through the lab's process, from specimen collection to grossing and staining to archiving. The labels are designed to withstand exposure to the harsh chemicals, solvents and stains of many lab staining and specimen preparation protocols. Wenzel added, “The StainerShield system helps labs become much more efficient and eliminate many errors due to misidentification of specimens.” StainerShield labels are designed to facilitate an efficient workflow of "one-off" processing, rather than "batch" processing. Lab technicians print StainerShield labels on-demand using simple, inexpensive direct thermal printers at the individual cutting workstations. The labels withstand the chemicals, solvents and stains of the staining process without degrading or separating from the slide. StainerShield labels are available exclusively through General Data. For more information, visit http://www.stainershield.com. About General Data Company, Inc.
General Data 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 products and solutions can be found at http://www.general-data.com. # # # -------------
1 Sarewitz, Stephen J., MD, “Queries and Comments,” CAP Today, April 2006,
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