Specimen Processing and Transportation

Clinical Laboratory Sections

The medical laboratory is an area in a healthcare facility where inpatient and outpatient diagnostic testing is conducted.

Chemistry Section

The most commonly performed tests within this department include: • blood glucose levels • electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride) • total protein

Hemolysis

a result of red blood cells destroyed.

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:

For 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.

Non-blood specimens

include urine, stool, sputum, semen, and various swab collections, each requiring specific collection, labeling, and handling procedures to ensure accurate test results.

Hematology Section

This department deals with the handling of various blood specimens.

Serum Separator Tubes (SST)

commonly delivered to the laboratory's chemistry department. The results of these tests can range from the confirmation of pregnancy to the presence of a liver disorder.

Blood Bank Section

This is the section of the laboratory where blood is collected, stored, and prepared for transfusion. All staff members must comply with the standards for patient identification and specimen handling to ensure patient safety.

Microbiology Section

This section of the clinical laboratory focuses on the observation of organisms that are not visible to the human eye. This department includes: • parasitology: the study of parasites • virology: the study of viruses and resulting diseases • mycology: the study of fungi • bacteriology: the study of bacteria

Specimen Transportation

should occur as soon as possible.Once the specimen is labeled and placed in a rack or carrier, the specimen should arrive at the lab to begin processing.

Common specimen problems include

hemolyzed specimens from rough handling or improper collection, clotted specimens in anticoagulant tubes, insufficient volume (QNS - Quantity Not Sufficient),wrong tube types used, delayed transport outside acceptable time windows,improper temperature handling,unlabeled or mislabeled specimens,leaking, broken, or contaminated specimens

QNS

Quantity Not Sufficient

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