Specimen Labeling and Acceptability

All specimens must be properly labeled and uniquely identified to minimize sample mix-ups /mislabeling. This can be accomplished by labeling each specimen with the Flexilab computer generated label, the computer generated label from the Care Manager order/entry system or a hand written label. Each specimen must be labeled with the following information:

INPATIENT:

• Patient's full name
• Date of collection
• Time of collection
• Patient's NHRMC hospital number
• Name, initials or LIS tech code of person collecting the specimen

OUTPATIENT or OFF-SITE PATIENT

• Patient's full name
• Date of birth
• Social security number (this is the unique identifying number)
• Time of collection
• Date of Collection
• Name or initials of person collecting the specimen

Additional information required for test requests may be included on requisition for outpatients or off-site patients and in the computer system for inpatients.

For additional detail, click here for full specimen labeling policy.