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.