Phlebotomy Book- Chapter 11 Flashcards
the simplest way to transport specimens within a facility is to-
walk to the lab, many facilities have other devices that simplify or speed up the process of transporting specimens
pneumatic tube system- (2)
-specimen is properly labeled & enclosed in a biohazard bag for transport & is put in capsule
-capsule is loaded into pneumatic tube & sent to lab
for example, some pneumatic tube systems may agitate/disturb specimen resulting in- (2)
-hemolysis
-other adverse effects
use of tube system for specimen transport must be validated to establish policy that-
allows alternate delivery methods for specimens that would be hemolyzed or suffer other harmful effects if delivered
different specimen transports within the facility- (5)
-pneumatic tube
-dumbwaiter
-Automated tracks
-Robotics
-Conveyor belts
dumbwaiter transport-
small elevators dedicated to transporting specimens to the lab
Specimens for STAT Tests must be collected & processed-
immediately, especially if phlebotomy area is in a different part of building than lab
results for specimens for STAT tests are expected-
within 1 hour of order
Specimens for STAT tests that require centrifugation- (2)
-take to lab within 45 min
-centrifuge within 1 hr
CLSI standard Specimens for STAT tests that require centrifugation-
2 hours between collection & centrifugation for serum or plasma separation
if unsure of specimen requirements, look them up in-
procedure manual
test results will be inaccurate if-
specimen handling & processing guidelines are not met
courier services are used to-
transport specimens outside the facility
directions to follow when transporting specimens outside the facility- (3)
-specimens placed in locked box
-may need to be processed before transport
-policy needed for time & temperature
outpatient facilities often need to send specimens to reference lab or another facility because-
hospital’s lab does not perform the tests for processing
labs may provide clients such as doctors’ offices with lab courier service for ease of delivering specimens collected- (3)
-specimens placed in a courier pickup lock box
-lab policy dictates how long specimens can stay in box & how specimens are protected from extreme temperatures
-couriers follow a predetermined pickup schedule & help ensure specimen integrity by maintaining specific specimen requirements, such as using proper insulated transport containers
reference labs offer a larger variety of tests than-
most community hospital labs
some reference labs provide their own courier service because-
they often travel longer distances, so extra attention must be paid to preparation
specimens sent through mail or by an express delivery service (FedEx) must comply with-
local, state, & federal laws governing packaging & biohazard identification
packaging requirements for shipping specimens- (6)
-shipping container
-watertight secondary container (ziplock bag, plastic canister, or Styrofoam box)
-watertight primary container
-specimen documentation
-absorbent material
-ice pack
to protect personnel, place specimen tubes in biohazard bags for- (2)
-shipping
-transporting by pneumatic tube
when opening packaging or pneumatic tube wear appropriate PPE- (3)
-gloves
-lab coat
-face protection
if specimen has spilled in a pneumatic tube, follow-
facility policy to decontaminate the tube
when tracking specimen transit, enter info into LIS using- (2)
-manual entry
-bar code reader
documentation of specimen collection & transit are essential because- (2)
-enables proper recordkeeping
-allows follow-up on problem specimens
phlebotomist enters the following data into LIS- (3)
-all collection info, including date & time of collection
-phlebotomist identification code
-any comments pertaining to the specimen or collection such as “collected from below IV site of right arm”
some facilities use bar code scanners to provide-
real-time tracking so a glance at records in LIS shows latest info about the specimen & its location
specimens that require warmth during transit- (2)
-cold agglutinins
-clot reaction
cold agglutinins- (2)
-antibodies that react at cooler temperatures
-tested when patient is suspected of having atypical pneumonia; can cause them to produce autoantibodies
guidelines for specimens that require warmth during transit- (3)
-tubes must be pre-warmed to 37°C & kept warm throughout collection process
-tubes must be delivered directly to lab & placed in incubator/water bath in lab, set at 37°C
-specimen must be kept at body temp until serum/plasma has been separated from cells within 1 hr
tests that require cooling- (3)
-arterial blood gases
-ammonia
-lactic acid
chilling specimens slows-
metabolic process
guidelines for specimens requiring cooling- (3)
-placed in a slurry of crushed ice & water
-place in bag with cool pack
-must NOT be allowed to freeze
when placing specimens in ice bath, to protect specimen label from moisture-
place specimen in plastic bag or double-compartment specimen transport bag with ice or cold pack in a separate compartment
light sensitive specimens- (2)
-Bilirubin
-Beta-carotene
used to protect light sensitive specimens- (2)
-amber tubes
-wrap tubes in foil
bilirubin levels are commonly performed on-
newborn infants
an infant known to have excess bilirubin is commonly placed under uv light to help break down bilirubin, if patient under uv light, it’s important to turn off light before collecting because-
UV light will destroy some bilirubin in specimen as you collect it, yielding false results