What does Chain of Custody mean to you? What is the importance of Chain of Custody? Regarding Chain of Custody, everyone has their own idea of what Chain of Custody means. The best explanation we have found is; "Chain of Custody refers to the document or paper trail showing the seizure, custody, control, transfer, analysis and disposition of physical and electronic evidence". By using this definition, there are several applications that can be considered Chain of Custody...not just the most common medical form. These forms can also be found in the Airline, Military, Forestry, Law Enforcement, Utilities and Animal Control industries.
Most Chain of Custody forms consist of a multi-part form and label combination with bar coding/numbering. The form contains all the history of a project, and can be a snap out, continuous format or cut sheet laser printed page. The label is used for tracking any portion that may be transferred away from the history of the form. The label can be made from a variety of stocks depending on the application and what the label is to be applied to. The bar coding/numbering traces the form and label back to each other and are synchronized and mated to both the form and the label. There is a variety of symbology’s that can be used for the bar coding and there is usually multiple digit Arabic numbering applied also.
Accuracy is a critical function of a solid Chain of Custody form, because a good form carries reliable and defendable documentation. For example, if you have a medical Chain of Custody form for laboratory testing, making sure that the numbers are all the same on each form, and that the label will not fall off the specimen tube is very important. Having a wrong number on the form could cause the test results to be traced back to the wrong person. If a label delaminates off the tube, there would be no way to tracking what test went to which person. At Xtension Technologies, Inc, we work with our manufacturing partners who have a camera verification system to verify that all numbers on the form are the same and a computer controlled verification system at the point of printing the form/label combination. Lastly, we have a wide variety of adhesives, stocks and liners to choose from and these adhesives, stocks and liners can help you determine what label stock or liner stock would be the best for each specific application.
Contact Us for all your Chain of Custody forms and Medical application needs.
Place your first order with us to receive 5% off of the total order pricing up to a maximum of $100.00 for any new Chain of Custody order.
