Accession

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Accession (əkˈsɛʃən)

Accession is a term used in various fields of medicine, but most commonly in pathology and laboratory medicine. It refers to the unique identifier assigned to a particular specimen, patient, or case for tracking and record-keeping purposes.

Etymology

The term "accession" comes from the Latin word "accessio," which means "a coming to, an increase." In the medical context, it signifies the addition of new cases or specimens to a laboratory or pathology database.

Related Terms

  • Specimen: A sample of tissue or fluid taken from a patient for examination or testing.
  • Pathology: The branch of medicine that deals with the laboratory examination of samples of body tissue for diagnostic or forensic purposes.
  • Laboratory Medicine: The branch of medicine in which specimens of tissue, fluid, or other body substances are examined outside of the person, usually in a laboratory.
  • Identifier: A unique sequence of characters that identifies a specific item.

Usage in Medical Context

In a medical laboratory or pathology setting, each specimen received is assigned an accession number. This unique identifier allows for the tracking of the specimen through all stages of processing and testing. It also links the specimen to the patient from whom it was taken, ensuring that test results are accurately reported back to the correct individual.

The accession process typically involves several steps:

  1. The specimen is received in the laboratory.
  2. The specimen is logged into the laboratory's information system, and an accession number is assigned.
  3. The accession number is physically attached to the specimen, usually in the form of a barcode label.
  4. The specimen is then processed and tested as necessary.
  5. Test results are recorded and linked to the accession number, allowing for accurate reporting back to the patient or healthcare provider.

See Also

External links

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