Process Control: Sample Management Flashcards
Good sample management
- Essential to accurate laboratory diagnosis
- Influences therapeutic decisions
- Directly affects patient care and outcome
- Influences laboratory efficiency
Laboratory Handbook Policies & Practices
- Collection, preservation
- Labeling
- Assessing, processing, tracking
- Retention, storage, disposal
- Transport
- Information needed
Contains information needed by those
who collect samples
Laboratory Handbook
Turn around times (TAT)
amount of time to be completed
(sample collection up to releasing the result)
The Laboratory’s Responsibilities
Provide sample collection information
Provide appropriate containers and supplies
Define a good labeling system
Assess all samples preexamination
Collection Requirements
◼ patient preparation
◼ patient identification
◼ type of sample required
◼ type of container needed
◼ labeling
◼ special handling
◼ safety precautions
Goal of a lab is to provide language of instruction understandable by patients
True
Each sample should be labeled with
▪ patient’s name
▪ patient’s unique ID
number
▪ test ordered
▪ time and date of collection
▪ collector’s initials
Outcomes of Improper Collection
◼ delays in reporting test results
◼ unnecessary re-draws/re-tests
◼ decreased customer satisfaction
◼ increased costs
◼ incorrect diagnosis / treatment
◼ injury
◼ death
Pre-examination Steps
◼ Verify
◼ Record in register or log
◼ Enforce sample rejection criteria
Actions for Rejected Samples
◼ inform authorized person
◼ request another sample
◼ record rejected samples
◼ retain rejected sample based on preset criteria
◼ extraordinary circumstances may require testing suboptimal samples
Sample Register or Log
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
Sample Tracking-Computer
◼ 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
Universal Precautions
Handle all samples as if infectious
Sample Referral
samples referred
date of referral
name of person referring test
