Inpatient collection supplies are obtained through material services. Urine containers requiring special preservatives are not stocked on the floors, but can be obtained from the specimen processing desk at each hospital laboratory. Show
For at home specimen collections, appropriate specimen containers and patient instructions can be obtained from any of our outpatient specimen collection facilities. Pediatric Minimum Draw VolumesGiven the frequent need to conserve blood volume in our pediatric patient population, please see our list of Pediatric Minimum Whole Blood Draw Volumes for the minimum sample volumes needed for certain frequently ordered tests. This information is also available via the individual test entries in our test menu. Note: these minimum volumes do not allow for add-on or repeat testing. Blood Collection Tubes and General Guidelines**NOTE: Our testing is validated for BD vacutainers. Other collection tubes may be rejected. Volume to collect Please consult the laboratory test menu entry for collection instructions. While the minimum volume necessary for testing is stated in the test menu, when clinically possible it is advisable to collect the preferred volume, as this will allow for repeat testing when necessary. We recognize that this is not always possible, and will make every effort to provide a result on the sample submitted General Technique 1. Avoid hemolysis
2. Avoid a running IV line DO NOT withdraw specimens from an extremity proximal to a running IV, nor from the IV line itself as this may result in contamination of the sample with the IV fluid. If it is necessary to draw proximal to an IV it is important that the IV be stopped and the vein allowed to clear (minimum 1 minute) before the sample is drawn. Laboratory phlebotomists have been instructed not to collect samples proximal to an IV, and will ask nursing personnel to stop the IV prior to phlebotomy and restart it after the samples have been collected. 3. Complete filling of vacutainers (especially for coagulation testing):
4. Order in which multiple samples should be drawn: Blood samples should be collected directly into vacutainer(s) in the following order to prevent cross contamination of one tube with the additive of another tube that could result in spurious lab results. Check the expiration date of all tubes prior to collecting samples and discard any expired tubes. DO NOT use expired tubes for sample collection.
* In general, because of the risk of bacterial contamination, if blood cultures are needed they should always be drawn first. 5. When drawing ONLY a (light) blue top tube for coagulation studies: If the venipuncture is promptly successful with a good flow of blood directly into the vacutainer, that single, filled tube may be submitted for coagulation studies. If, by contrast, the venipuncture is difficult with much searching for the vein, the blood flow is slow, or the collection is made into a large syringe, the coagulation cascade may become activated; in that case, an initial blue top tube should be filled, discarded and a second filled tube should be collected for testing. When a second tube appears to be needed:
6. DO NOT Transfer samples between vacutainer types: Never transfer blood from one tube type to another to make up for short volume. The anticoagulants and clotting activators in each tube are specific for the type of sample necessary for testing. Transferring sample between tubes results in adulteration of the sample and will produce spurious test results. 7. Drawing from Intravascular Catheters:
Urine CollectionPlease see the Urine Preservative Table for important requirements relevant to chemical analyses of urine specimens. Please note that specimens for Cytology should be submitted directly to the Department of Anatomic Pathology (not the UCSF Clinical Labs) with a paper copy of the APeX requisition. CSF should be collected and transported to the laboratory in the special vials provided in the lumbar puncture kit. If unavailable, a plastic vial with a black screw top cap is acceptable. Each vial should be labeled with patient information (full name and medical record number are minimum requirements) and also list the name of the person who collected the specimen and the date it was collected. Note: CSF samples for Beta Amyloid 42/Tau Protein Analysis must be collected in a special polypropylene tube to prevent adherence of the protein to the sides of the tube. The tubes are stocked in the Memory & Aging clinic and are available from laboratory processing areas at each hospital. Unless otherwise specified, requested tests will be done on selected tubes as follows:
Cell counts are preferably performed on Tube #3 to reduce the impact of blood contamination secondary to the procedure itself. Counts on multiple tubes are rarely required unless Tube #3 is visibly bloody at which point a cell count on Tube #1 may be requested. A decrease in counts between Tube #1 and Tube #3 suggests a traumatic tap. In this circumstance cell counts should be interpreted with caution. Note: cell counts will not be performed on tube #1 if that sample is grossly bloodier than tube #3. Microbiology CollectionPlease see the Specimen Collection section of our Microbiology Guide for collection information, including our Microbiology Specimen Collection Guide for UCSF Operating Rooms. When should the phlebotomist label the collection tubes?1. A properly labeled sample is essential so that the results of the test match the patient. a) Label all tubes in the presence of the patient in the drawing area and only after the blood have been drawn. DO NOT defer until a later time.
What the process is for labeling a specimen?When labeling a specimen for the laboratory, the following information must be included: Patient's first name and last name. Hospital medical record number, date of birth or alternate unique patient number. Collector's ID.
When should the phlebotomist label the collection tubes quizlet?When should blood collection tubes be labeled? Labels should always be applied at the bedside, never in advance. A 3-way check should always be performed, comparing patient identification information on the requisition, the patient's armband, and the tubes of blood.
What do you label on a blood slide?Label pre-cleaned slides (preferably frosted-end) with patient's name (or other identifier), date and time of collection.
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