Specimen Processing and Transportation Flashcards
Ensure that the specimen is properly labeled
Patient name, Patient medical record #, Collection date and time, specimen type and source, test required, ordering physician.
Hemolysis (1)
Hemolysis is a result of red blood cells destroyed.
Hemolysis (2)
Avoid tourniquet application longer than 1 minute.
Hemolysis (3)
After cleansing with alcohol, allow the site to air-dry.
Hemolysis (4)
Do not collect a blood specimen in a site that has hematoma.
Hemolysis (5)
Avoid pulling the syringe plunger back too quickly, When mixing blood in tubes containing Additives, gently invert them.
QNS
Quantity Not Sufficient
Labeling
All specimens should be properly labeled according to standard guidelines.
Packaging
All specimens should be appropriately packaged in leak-proof containers. Be aware of special requirements for specimens, including temperature, protection from light, etc.
Centrifuging
Tubes are placed in a centrifuge, which then spins the specimen to separate the contents based on density, with less dense components, such as plasma or serum forming the top layers.
Aliquoting
Specimens that need to be distributed to and processed by various labs, small portions of the specimen, known as aliquots, are transferred into separate containers before transport.
Store specimens in the conditions appropriate to the purpose of collection (1)
Blood should be delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection, or generally within 45 minutes of collection.
Store specimens in the conditions appropriate to the purpose of collection (2)
While some specimens can be held for 24-48 hours before being tested, blood smears from EDTA tubes must be processed within 1 hour of collection.
Store specimens in the conditions appropriate to the purpose of collection (3)
Some specimens, such as cold agglutinins, are required to maintain a temperature of 37⁰ C, and heel warmers should be wrapped around the specimen storage and transport.
Store specimens in the conditions appropriate to the purpose of collection (4)
Some specimens, such as pyruvate and lactic acid, should be stored in ice to keep it chilled prior to transport to the laboratory.
Store specimens in the conditions appropriate to the purpose of collection (5)
Other specimens need to remain at room temperature, and special care needs to be taken when transporting these specimens to outside facilities.
Clinical Laboratory Sections
The medical laboratory is an area in a healthcare facility where inpatient and outpatient diagnostic testing is conducted
Hematology Section
Tests performed in this department include WBC counts, RBC counts, CBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit (Hct), RBC indices, and platelet counts.
Chemistry Section
The most commonly performed tests within this department include those for blood glucose levels, electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride), total protein, etc.
Blood Bank Section (1)
This is the section of the laboratory where blood is collected, stored, and prepared for transfusion.
Blood Bank Section (2)
Tests done in the blood bank require a red top (plain) tube or a lavender or pink top tube.
Specimens must have the following identification information (1)
Patient’s full name and date of birth, Patient’s hospital identification number (inpatient), Outpatient’s social security number.
Specimens must have the following identification information (2)
Date and time of collection, Medical Assistant’s (or phlebotomist’s) initials.
Microbiology Section
The primary sections of this department include parasitology, the study of parasites; virology, the study of viruses and resulting diseases; mycology, the study of fungi; and bacteriology, the study of bacteria.
Specimen Transportation
Specimen transportation should occur as soon as possible. Once the specimen is labeled and either placed in a rack or carrier, the specimen should arrive at the lab so processing can begin.
