Idea Exchange: With blood samples, it's all a matter of timing

To ensure that our blood samples are allowed to clot for the recommended time yet are still centrifuged on time, we attach timers to the syringe cases. The syringe cases hold the blood samples, so staff members know which timer is for which sample and can place the sample into the centrifuge when appropriate. With timers that have clips, we simply clip the timers to the syringe cases. For timers that do not have clips, we tape two syringe cases—cut down to size—onto the back of the timers. The syringe cases keep the timers upright.

Debbie Bess, office manager

Carson City, Nev.