Downtime with Lockout

In the past we have used pre-printed barcoded downtime labels that were assigned to a patient when needed. The pattern of numbers we used denoted what area it was from. We had automation and this enabled us to continue testing during downtimes and then we could assign that number in the LIS when it came back up to have results cross. this may/may not work for your situation

We use an "Emergent ID Barcode" that we have printed and stored in our glucose meter totes.  Ours is a barcode the length of the patient ID barcode, e.g. 99999999999. Operators would scan that barcode if a patient ID barcode isn't available.  Anytime they scan the barcode they have been trained to email the POC office with two patient identifiers so we can tie the result to the patient and send across to the patient's chart.  These emergent ID results get stuck in our interface exceptions in Telcor and daily we sort through these exceptions and email the operators who scan the emergent barcode if they haven't already emailed us.