30 August 2008
1:34:00 PM
i've been posted to reception the past week. Basically, when we talk about reception, people usually visualize workers sitting there and answering the phones, typing furiously on their computer keyboard. Well, part of this is true.
The reception area of my hospital is divided into 2 parts, the computer area and the sorting area. Our 2 main groups of people there are the receptionist and the attendants. Also at the reception are the telelift and the pneumatic tube system. Please do note that my hospital is the 1st hospital in Singapore to actually utilize this document and sample transporting system which have save them a lot of time, money, labour and has increased efficiency tremendously.
Following the route of a sample from the ward, it either enters the lab throught the telelift or the pneumatic tube. Next, the attendant would retrieve the sample and leave it on the sorting table at the sorting area. After all the samples have been retrieved, the sorting would start. First, the request form would be stamped with the time and date recieved. Next, the forms with their respective samples would be sorted according to which department are they for. For example, EDTA blood needed to do FBC would left in the routine lab basket so that the lab tech from that lab can come out and collect the sample. However, before the lab techs collect the sample, logging has to be done. This is where the receptionists come in. They will look at the request form and key into the LIS various information such as the name, IC number, test requested and time sample is retrieved. This part is especially important as if it is not logged in, the test cannot be performed in the lab. Also, mistakes are kept to the minimal since my hospital is a profit organisation and it cannot afford to keep doing wrong tests.
Another job of the receptionist is to offer direction and assistance to anyone who enquires with a smile. The most commonly asked question is "excuse me, where is block 5?" To that seemingly innocent question, the perfect answer would be "all you have to do to get there, would be go straight all the way and exit the door on your left," ending with a smile. One might think that doing this is a child's job, but do not forget that the lab takes an entire level and with its myriad of rooms, this is no easy task.
Cornelyus
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