Specimen Chain of Custody
From the moment a specimen is collected to the time it arrives in the lab, every handoff matters.
Lost or delayed specimens can lead to repeat procedures, diagnostic delays, and costly claims. Yet in most hospitals, once a specimen label is printed, there’s no automated visibility until it’s manually accessioned in the lab.
SonitorONE with ONE Specimen brings new visibility to this critical workflow. By combining RFID technology, SonitorONE integrations, and a flexible software layer, hospitals can create a continuous, auditable chain of custody that adapts to their unique workflows.
What’s at Stake
How SonitorONE Solves It
Smart, printable RFID labels
Specimen containers are labeled with small, battery-free RFID tags printed directly from the hospital’s Laboratory Information System (LIS). These disposable labels encode both barcode and RFID data, linking physical specimens to their digital records.
Automated custody checkpoints
RFID readers and antennas are installed at key locations: collection areas, assembly stations, pneumatic tube stations, lab drop-offs, and courier handoff points. Each checkpoint automatically records when a specimen enters or exits the zone.
Real-time alerts and reconciliation
The system monitors expected vs. actual RFID reads and sends automatic notifications if a specimen doesn’t arrive at the next checkpoint within a configured time window. Urgent specimens, such as frozen sections, can have tighter thresholds than routine samples.
Continuous audit trail
Every transfer is captured and time-stamped. ONE Specimen maintains a verified custody record for each specimen, creating confidence in compliance, accreditation readiness, and process improvement.
How it Works
RFID & Integration Layer:
- RFID readers detect specimens automatically at each checkpoint.
- The SonitorONE integration layer links these events to the LIS and other enterprise systems.
- Data flows into the ONE Specimen dashboard, where staff can view progress, set alerts, and generate reports.
Configurable Sequences
Hospitals can define custom custody sequences for each specimen type (such as surgical pathology, microbiology, or cytology) and visualize progress from collection through processing.
Search and Recovery
Handheld RFID scanners can be used to quickly locate misplaced specimens or reconcile exceptions.
Optional In-Lab Tracking
The same platform can extend beyond the courier handoff to track specimens within the laboratory itself, as demonstrated in live deployments in the UK. This enables continuous visibility from patient to final processing and supports future automation in histopathology.
Powered by ONE Specimen
ONE Specimen provides real-time visibility, configurable alerts, and reporting for every specimen journey.
Its open architecture allows hospitals to define their own checkpoints, time thresholds, and notification workflows.
Data can be integrated with the Electronic Medical Record (EMR), LIS, or enterprise analytics systems through SonitorONE’s open APIs.
Ready for What Comes Next
Hospitals are rethinking how they manage critical workflows that depend on precision and accountability.
RFID-enabled specimen tracking is the foundation for safer, smarter laboratory operations.
SonitorONE and ONE Specimen help hospitals Orchestrate the Next Enterprise’s Chain of Custody, creating confidence that every specimen collected is tracked, verified, and protected from start to finish.
