diff --git a/daq/src/aaredaq/aaredb.py b/daq/src/aaredaq/aaredb.py
index ace577b5..edb83f5b 100644
--- a/daq/src/aaredaq/aaredb.py
+++ b/daq/src/aaredaq/aaredb.py
@@ -171,7 +171,20 @@ class AareWrapper:
                 sample_event_create=SampleEventCreate(event_type=SampleEventType("Lost")),
             )
         except Exception as e:
-            print(e)
+            logger.error(f"Error sending message to db: {e}")
+
+    def send_msg_to_db(self, s: Optional[SampleShortInfo], event_type:Optional[SampleEventType | str], comment: str = ''):
+        if s is None or event_type is None:
+            logger.debug(f"sample info or event type is None, skipping message: {event_type} {comment}")
+            return
+        if isinstance(event_type, str):
+            event_type = SampleEventType(event_type)
+        try:
+            self.__sample_api.create_sample_event(
+                sample_id=s.db_id,
+                sample_event_create=SampleEventCreate(event_type=event_type, comment=comment)
+            )
+        except Exception as e:
             logger.error(f"Error sending message to db: {e}")
 
     def upload_image(self, sample_id: int, filename: str, bgr_image: np.ndarray):