CAP Pro Course - Phlebotomy - General Specimen Handling and Transportation Requirements

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Author: Carol Becker, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM
Reviewer: Alexandru Casapu, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, PBTCM

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Identify the need to control preanalytical variables in the laboratory testing process.
  • Describe preanalytical sources of error in blood specimen transport and handling.
  • Recognize preanalytical sources of error in the transport and processing of specimens other than blood.
  • Examine the recognized methods of proper specimen transport and storage requirements.

Course Outline

  • Identify the need to control preanalytical variables in the laboratory testing process.
      • Quality Assurance of Preanalytical Specimens
      • Preserving Specimen Integrity
      • The Importance of Controlling Preanalytical Variables
      • Which of the following is a negative patient outcome that can result from preanalytical errors?
      • Most laboratory errors occur in which phase of the laboratory testing process?
      • Which statement is true with regard to the phases of laboratory testing processes?
      • Which action listed here describes an acceptable procedure to ensure the integrity of laboratory specimens?
  • Describe preanalytical sources of error in blood specimen transport and handling.
      • Blood Specimen Transport
      • Blood Specimen Processing
      • Blood Specimen Processing: Other Preanalytical Factors
      • Centrifugation: Gel Barrier Tubes
      • Centrifugation: Plasma Specimens for Coagulation Testing
      • A blood specimen has been submitted to the laboratory from an off-site doctor's office for a potassium (K) measurement. The whole blood specimen was i...
      • Plasma specimen tubes for coagulation testing need to be closely examined when received in the processing department. Which of the following is not a ...
      • A review of a blood specimen and its corresponding requisition/label reveals the following:Specimen type - gold top blood collection tube with gel bar...
      • Finish this statement regarding re-spinning collection tubes with the best of the following options: "The practice of re-spinning gel barrier tubes af...
      • Which of these specimens collected for the tests below would require chilling during transport to the laboratory?
  • Recognize preanalytical sources of error in the transport and processing of specimens other than blood.
      • Transporting and Processing Specimens Other Than Blood: Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
      • Transporting and Processing Specimens Other Than Blood: Urine for Urinalysis
      • Transporting and Processing Specimens Other Than Blood: 24-Hour Urine Collections
      • A urine specimen is received for chemical and microscopic urinalysis. The specimen is received from outside of the laboratory's facility and was colle...
      • The following 24-hour urine specimen was submitted to the processing department and rejected. Why would the department reject this specimen?
      • Two 24-hour urine containers are received in the processing area. Both are labeled with the same patient's complete identification. One is labeled "co...
      • Three tubes containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are delivered to the specimen processing area. However, the patient's last name is not spelled the sa...
  • Examine the recognized methods of proper specimen transport and storage requirements.
      • General Transportation Guidelines
      • Specimen Retention and General Storage Considerations
      • General Storage Requirements of Specimens Based on Test
      • Which of the following is not the purpose of an "add-on test" to an existing specimen in the laboratory?
      • What types of personal protective equipment (PPE) are typically not required for processing staff who are receiving specimens, centrifuging specimens,...
      • A serum gel barrier tube has been centrifuged by the processing area for testing in the Chemistry department. Unfortunately, the main chemistry analyz...
      • Which of the following items is not usually considered acceptable for transport in pneumatic tube systems?
      • Which of the following blood specimens is unacceptable for testing?
      • Which of the following instructions describes the best way to transport blood collection tubes in a pneumatic tube system in order to minimize specime...
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Basic
Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for MLS, MT, and MLT personnel, phlebotomists, medical laboratory science students and interns, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.
Author Information: Carol Becker, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM is a retired Program Director for the Clinical Laboratory Science program and Histology program at OSF St. Francis Medical Center located in Peoria, Illinois. Carol received her Master's degree at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois, and her Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL.
Reviewer Information: Alexandru Casapu, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, PBTCM, has over 20 years of experience as a medical laboratory scientist, section supervisor, and laboratory manager. He is the former Director of Clinical Laboratory Technology Program at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. He is currently a Program Director at MediaLab, Inc. Alex holds BS degrees in Biology and Medical Technology from Clark Atlanta University and an MBA from the University of Georgia.

This course is part of the CAP Competency Assessment Hub.

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