New in ClinSpark version 1.5.0 are self-serve barcode management features, which now support the ability for sites to design and manage their own labels. Any customers upgrading from a version of ClinSpark prior to 1.5 will need to go through a label migration process. The follow guide serves as a way to become familiar with the settings unique to this functionality.
Barcode Settings
Many system-level barcode settings exist in Administration > General Settings > Barcodes. These exist to establish requirements for generating barcodes in ClinSpark.
These settings are always visible to customers, but only Foundry Health superadmins are able to modify them. This is due to the implications these padding, delimiter, and prefix settings have across a variety of ClinSpark features that leverage barcodes, as well as site lab interface workflows.
Barcode Padding Characters
Barcodes can be padded from zero to twenty characters for barcode generation. This padding will apply to all label templates.
Include Delimiter for Multi-Part Barcodes
If container(s) are associated with a sample path or lab panel, the barcode can optionally include the ‘-’ delimiter prior to the container suffix.
Delimiter Included
Delimiter Not Included
Optionally Include Specimen Container Prefix
If container(s) are associated with a sample path or lab panel, the specimen container can optionally include a prefix.
Specimen Container Included
Update Barcode Prefix
The prefix to barcodes can be updated as needed. The prefix in ClinSpark also needs to match the prefix of the label template.
After Upgrading to 1.5
Default label templates will be available in your ClinSpark environment to edit upon upgrading.
Review Label Templates
Once a UAT environment has been made available, the default label designs should be reviewed. These labels should be reviewed by printing the templates to a Zebra printer.
Printing Labels for Review
Using a Zebra printer, label templates can be printed from the following ClinSpark modules:
Label Template Name | Where to Print |
|---|---|
Device |
|
Item |
|
LIMS |
|
Sample Batch Data |
|
Sample Container |
|
Subject |
|
User |
|
Void Container |
|
Update Label Templates
Any necessary changes should be made within the ZebraDesigner3 design utility software. As a starting point, we provide editable label template .nlbl files for all default labels that come stock in your environment.
Once these labels have been updated the .nlbl file should be saved and made available for future reference. It is also helpful to create label specifications (example) to keep track of requirements.
Import New Label Design
Once a label has been redesigned and stored to the printer it can be imported to the current label design. Alternatively, a new label template can be added. Once barcode verification has been complete the label template can be saved.
Please visit our Merge Tag Reference page for next steps if new merge tags are needed for a label design.
Can I use Labels printed in 1.4?
No, any labels previously printed will need to be reprinted for use after the upgrade.
Barcode Verification Troubleshooting
In order for a template to become active, it is required to scan the three example labels. If the barcode is not verified ensure the barcode example output prefixes also match the configured prefixes in Administration > General Settings > Barcodes.
For example; Item Prefix = 9, the merge tag for ITEM_BARCODE Example Outputs need to start with ‘9’ not ‘F’. Please reach out to Foundry Health via a service desk ticket to update any of these Example Outputs.
