A bar code generating apparatus includes a specimen container holder which holds a container containing a specimen, a holder conveyance device which conveys the specimen container holder, a sensor which senses that the specimen container holder is conveyed to a specific position, a conveyance temporary stop mechanism which operates based on the information output from the sensor and temporarily stops conveyance of the specimen container holder, a rotation control mechanism which rotates the specimen container holder, which stops temporarily, on an axis of the holder, an electronic camera which picks up an image of recording information on the surface of the specimen container held by the rotated specimen container holder, and a bar-coding device which codes the recording information into a bar code based on data of the picked-up image.

A microscope slide and read-write system whereby the slide has a pathology specimen thereon and machine readable high density recording media in the form of a magnetic strip, optical reading strip or the like. The read-write system accommodates initial writing of slide and patient identification information on the recording media. The read-write system further embodies elements for operative connection to a microscope system whereby a computer generated representation of the screening history of pathology specimen is recorded and maintained during pathology analysis of the slide showing the mode and parameters of the analysis as well as position related events of interest. The computer generated screening representation is written to the recording media by the read-write system, for constant proximate availability with the slide. The recording media comprises sufficient capacity for encodation with patient identification and medical history information, and slide diagnostic information and analysis for pathological review of the particular pathology specimen on the slide. Compatible read-write systems permit reading and editing of recording media encodation for slide analysis at any time or place without requirements of correlative external files.

The invention provides a human error preventing system wherein a worker is provided with a work slip indicating data as to the work to be performed in a form readable by the worker and with a work instruction bar code representing the work data. The worker performs the work and is provided with a result representing bar code representing the result of work performed by the worker with reference to the work slip. The worker uses a bar code reader to read the result representing bar code and the work instruction bar code. The reading signals from the bar code reader are transferred to a work control computer. The work control computer collates the work instruction bar code and result representing bar code reading signals and the worker is notified whether the result of collation is appropriate.

The invention relates to a patient and healthcare provider identification system which includes a database of patient and healthcare provider information including the identity of each patient and provider and some identification criteria (such as fingerprint data); a print scanner for reading the print information from a patient or provider; a control system for matching the print data read by the scanner with the print data stored in memory; and a printer for printing labels or generating stamps or other visually perceptible medium for positively identifying the patient or provider and creating a record of the identification.

A chart is divided into sections representing different times of day and days of the week for providing a space to indicate and document when medication should be taken as well as to indicate if the medication has been taken. A plurality of sets of different distinctively shaped and colored stickers are provided which are clearly visibly distinguishable one set from the other sets. A selected set of stickers is chosen for each medication which is to be taken and the sticker from that set is affixed on the chart on the appropriate day and time as prescribed by the user's doctor. At the same time, the same shaped sticker from that selected set is affixed on the prescription container. By matching the shape of the sticker on the bottle with the shape of the sticker on the chart, the medication to be taken is clearly identified at specific times of the day, and when it is taken a mark is placed in the section of the chart next to the sticker indicating the time and day on which it is taken to provide a permanent record of what medication is taken as well as when. By using a different set of stickers of each type of medication a system is provided for reminding the patient of the type of medication which is to be taken, when it is to be taken as well as providing a permanent record when it is taken.