Consecutive number labels can be the difference between life and death. These small stickers may seem insignificant. They are simple rolls of stickers, each of which contains a number. The first sticker contains the numeral one, the second one contains the numeral two, and the third contains the numeral three. The numbers continue on into the thousands or beyond. These stickers are very convenient for labeling a wide variety of items which need to be numbered. However, one of the most important roles that consecutive number labels play is in hospital laboratories. Under normal conditions, the automated computer systems of such laboratories systematically label all charts, results, and blood sample labels with corresponding bar codes. These bar codes avoid confusion by making sure the correct blood sample is associated with the correct results and information about the correct patient. Such association is vital in ensuring that patients receive the correct care needed for their individual medical condition. However, there are many times during the course of normal hospital function when the computer systems are unable to function for one reason or another. Whether the computer system breaks down or whether it needs to be disabled for upgrade, repair, or for some other reason, the entire laboratory is left without a functioning labeling system. In this situation, it is vital to have on hand some consecutive number labels. Numerous rolls of consecutive number labels are used to label requisitions and their corresponding blood samples. For example, the laboratory technician takes sticker number five thousand forty-six off the first roll of consecutive number labels. He affixes this sticker to the diagnosis or lab results. He then takes sticker number five thousand forty-six off the second roll of consecutive number labels and attaches it to the blood tube. Both the blood tube and the information about it are now labeled with a sticker with the number five thousand forty-six written on it. For more detail:
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