What is the main reason for specimen rejection?
The most common reasons for specimen rejection were contamination (n=764, 35.1%), inappropriate collection container/tube (n=330, 15.2%), quantity not sufficient (QNS) (n=329, 15.1%), labeling errors (n=321, 14.7%), hemolyzed specimen (n=205, 9.4%), and clotted specimen (n=203, 9.3%).
Why is a CBC specimen rejected?
Reasons for rejection included hemolysis, clotting, insufficient quantity for test, time delay, incorrect temperature, loss of specimens during transport, and incorrect labeling (Table 1).
What are the criteria for specimen rejection?
Examples of sample rejection criteria
- Unlabelled or mislabelled samples.
- Duplicate samples. Most duplicate samples received on the same day are unacceptable and should not be processed.
- Leaky containers.
- Contaminated samples.
- Inappropriate sample sources.
- Delayed transport time and sample processing.
What are some common mistakes for specimen rejection?
Two of the most common errors that occur during specimen collection and handling are clotting and inaccurate volume. Exposure to temperature extremes may also cause specimens to be rejected for testing.
Why would a blood test be unusable?
Sometimes there is a delay in samples reaching the laboratory which can affect the quality of the specimen making it unusable. Occasionally an incorrect test is requested in which case a repeat may not be needed. On the other occasions an incorrect bottle or label may have been used.
What is a normal hemolysis level?
In general, a normal value for adults is 40 to 200 mg/dL. If your levels are lower, it means you may have hemolytic anemia, in which your red blood cells are prematurely destroyed. An undetectable level is almost always due to hemolytic anemia.
Why do blood tests get rejected?
Specimens must be rejected if they are unsuitable for the analyses requested, so that misleading results (which could lead to incorrect patient management) are not produced.
How can specimen rejection be prevented?
Based on the reasons listed for specimen rejection, staff members were able to personally reduce their rejection rates by ensuring that they followed all of the steps involved in collecting samples, using appropriate tubes for each respective test and filling them to the required volume level, gently mixing specimens.
What are the criteria for the rejection of Bacteriologic samples?
Rejection Criteria of Clinical Microbiology Specimens
- Duplicate specimen collected within 5 days.
- Improper specimen received.
- Insufficient quantity for analysis.
- Plasma NOT separated from whole blood within 24 hours.
- Specimen received greater than 24 hours from time of collection.
How often are blood tests wrong?
It is estimated that seven to ten million patients receive an inaccurate blood test result annually. Approximately 35,000 labs run high complexity tests. Many more run routine tests and are not subject to inspection every two years by federal regulators.
Should I be worried about repeat blood test?
We know that things can be a little disconcerting when they are unexpected. However, there is no reason for you to worry if you are asked to take a retest or further tests. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions. As with any test, you should do exactly what your GP or nurse tells you when taking a test.
Can a PT sample be refrigerated for aPTT testing?
Do not refrigerate PT/INR samples. Specimens for APTT testing may be stored at room temperature for up to 4 hours. If testing cannot be performed within this time period, the platelet-poor plasma should be frozen. Do not refrigerate APTT samples. continued on page 5
When to centrifuge a partial thromboplastin test?
Please print and use the Volume Guide for Coagulation Testing to ensure proper draw volume. Specimens are stable at room temperature for 24 hours. If testing cannot be completed within 24 hours, specimens should be centrifuged for at least 10 minutes at 1500xg.
What should be collected after a prothrombin test?
Any tube containing an alternate anticoagulant should be collected after the blue-top tube. Gel-barrier tubes and serum tubes with clot initiators should also be collected after the citrate tubes. To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested.
Is there an aPTT test for prothrombin?
This aPTT test is for screening purposes only and is not intended for therapeutic monitoring. Please refer to Heparin Anti-Xa [117101] and thrombin inhibitors, etc for aPTT testing. If the patient’s hematocrit exceeds 55%, the volume of citrate in the collection tube must be adjusted. Refer Coagulation Collection Procedures for directions.