Specimen Processing and Transportation

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

Hemolysis is a result of red blood cells destroyed.

Hemolysis

Avoid tourniquet application longer than 1 minute.

Hemolysis

After cleansing with alcohol, allow the site to air-dry.

Hemolysis

Do not collect a blood specimen in a site that has hematoma.

Hemolysis

Avoid pulling the syringe plunger back too quickly, When mixing blood in tubes containing Additives, gently invert them.

QNS

Quanity Not Sufficent

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is the section of the laboratory where blood is collected, stored, and prepared for transfusion.

Blood Bank Section

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

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

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.