Process Control: Sample Management

Question 1

Good sample management

Answer 1

• Essential to accurate laboratory diagnosis
• Influences therapeutic decisions
• Directly affects patient care and outcome
• Influences laboratory efficiency

Question 2

Laboratory Handbook Policies & Practices

Answer 2

• Collection, preservation
• Labeling
• Assessing, processing, tracking
• Retention, storage, disposal
• Transport
• Information needed

Question 3

Contains information needed by those
who collect samples

Answer 3

Laboratory Handbook

Question 4

Turn around times (TAT)

Answer 4

amount of time to be completed
(sample collection up to releasing the result)

Question 5

The Laboratory’s Responsibilities

Answer 5

Provide sample collection information
Provide appropriate containers and supplies
Define a good labeling system
Assess all samples preexamination

Question 6

Collection Requirements

Answer 6

◼ patient preparation
◼ patient identification
◼ type of sample required
◼ type of container needed
◼ labeling
◼ special handling
◼ safety precautions

Question 7

Goal of a lab is to provide language of instruction understandable by patients

Answer 7

True

Question 8

Each sample should be labeled with

Answer 8

▪ patient’s name
▪ patient’s unique ID
number
▪ test ordered
▪ time and date of collection
▪ collector’s initials

Question 9

Outcomes of Improper Collection

Answer 9

◼ delays in reporting test results
◼ unnecessary re-draws/re-tests
◼ decreased customer satisfaction
◼ increased costs
◼ incorrect diagnosis / treatment
◼ injury
◼ death

Question 10

Pre-examination Steps

Answer 10

◼ Verify
◼ Record in register or log
◼ Enforce sample rejection criteria

Question 11

Actions for Rejected Samples

Answer 11

◼ inform authorized person
◼ request another sample
◼ record rejected samples
◼ retain rejected sample based on preset criteria
◼ extraordinary circumstances may require testing suboptimal samples

Question 12

Sample Register or Log

Answer 12

A register should include:
▪ date and time of collection
▪ date and time of receipt
▪ sample type
▪ patient name
▪ demographics as required
▪ laboratory assigned identification
▪ tests to be performed

Question 13

Sample Tracking-Computer

Answer 13

◼ identification number
◼ patient information
◼ collection date and time
◼ type of sample
◼ tests to be performed
◼ name of health care provider
◼ location of patient, e.g., ward, clinic, outpatient
◼ diagnostic test results
◼ time and date results are reported

Question 14

Universal Precautions

Answer 14

Handle all samples as if infectious

Question 15

Sample Referral

Answer 15

 samples referred
 date of referral
 name of person referring test

Question 16

ICAO

Answer 16

International Civil Aviation Organization

Question 17

IATA

Answer 17

International Air Transport Association

Question 18

Importance of Transport Regulations

Answer 18

to prevent biohazard
and safe transportaion

Safety: couriers, laboratory staff, passengers, carriers

Question 19

Infectious substances capable of causing:
* permanent disability
* life-threatening or fatal disease to humans/animals

Answer 19

Category A

Question 20

Packaging of Category A

Answer 20

most durable triple packaging with full
dangerous goods documentation

Question 21

Training of transport staff is required in Category A

Answer 21

True

Question 22

Category A Label

Answer 22

UN 2900

Question 23

Infectious substances not included in Category A

Answer 23

Category B

Question 24

Category B Label

Answer 24

UN 3373

Question 25

Exemptions

Answer 25

▪ substances that do not contain infectious substances
▪ substances containing organisms that are non-pathogenic
▪ substances containing neutralized or inactivated pathogens
▪ environmental samples that pose no risk of infection
▪ blood or blood components collected for transfusion
▪tissues or organs cleared for transplantation
▪ dried blood spots and fecal occult blood screening tests
▪decontaminated medical or clinical waste