Explain why blood collection tubes should never be labeled prior to collection.

Q: When labeling a tube you should never?

DONT wrap the label around the tube horizontally, diagonally across it, or as a flag on it. If the tube is labeled in this way, the scanner may not be able to fully read the barcode.

All specimens must be labeled in the presence of the patient at the time of collection. Inaccurate or incomplete labeling may result in rejection of the specimen by the laboratory. Unlabeled specimens will automatically be rejected by the laboratory. When labeling a specimen for the laboratory, the following information must be included:

Inhaltsverzeichnis Show

Phlebotomy Guide
Labelling the Samples
Blood Collection Tubes
Please note
Why should you not pre label collection tubes?
Should blood tubes be labeled prior to collection?
Is pre Labelling of blood samples recommended in routine blood collection?
When labeling a tube you should never?

Patient's first name and last name
Hospital medical record number, date of birth or alternate unique patient number
Collector's ID
Time the specimen was collected
Date the specimen was collected

A phlebotomist must NEVER pre-label specimen containers. This can result in specimen mix-up and potentially disastrous consequences for the patient.

Phlebotomy Guide

Labelling the Samples

Bottle may be labelled with ICE stickers (where used) but must NOT be labelled with ADDRESSOGRAPH labels. Do not attach ICE labels to paediatric tubes. Do not use any type of labels, including ICE labels on Blood Transfusion samples. These samples should only be handwritten. Guidance on labelling Blood Transfusion samples can be found in the Requesting & Reporting section.
Label bottles with patients Surname, Forename, DOB, ward and Date. Certain tests e.g. glucose, APTT, INR, thrombophilia screen require time on the bottles as well.
Write the time of collection on the request form.
Finally sign/initial the form in bottom right corner. Do all this before leaving the patient. See also special instructions for labelling blood transfusion samples � these MUST be adhered to.
In all cases, leave patient comfortable and safe reporting any problems to your manager of nursing staff on ward.

Blood Collection Tubes

Sample containers must be in date. Users must check that they are using in date consumables.

Blood collection tubes must not be labelled before taking the sample. You should prepare by getting together all the materials you need for the blood collection including the set of ICE stickers if appropriate. Next, take the blood sample, before finally labelling the tube (ICE sticker or writing on the tube label) whilst cross checking the identity of the patient.

Bottles may be labelled with ICE stickers where appropriate but other sticky labels must NOT be attached to any blood tube.

When handwriting patient and collection details onto a blood tubes you must include (on each tube) the patients surname, forename, DOB, location and Date. Certain tests such as glucose, drug tests, APTT, INR and thrombophilia screen all require the collection time on the tubes as well.

Also, write the time of collection on the request form.

See also special instructions for labelling blood transfusion samples.

Please note

No result can be issued for unidentifiable specimens; unlabelled or illegibly labelled specimens will normally be discarded. The requesting clinician, if identifiable, will be asked to submit a fresh specimen.
In the case of irreplaceable specimens e.g. histology resection specimens the submitting clinician will be asked to come to the department to identify and label any unlabelled specimens prior to processing.
Incorrectly labelled cervical cytology specimens will be returned to sender.
The Pathology Laboratories cannot take responsibility for results obtained from inadequately labelled specimens.
If there is any discrepancy between data on the request form and specimen, the generation of results may be delayed until the information is checked.
It is the requesting doctor's responsibility to ensure that the correct sample is sent to the laboratory and that positive sample identification is possible.
Blood transfusion samples are an area of particular concern. These samples cannot be processed without the above information in full. A new sample will need to be provided & must be signed by the person taking the blood.

The Human Body in Health and Disease

7th EditionGary A. Thibodeau, Kevin T. Patton

1,505 solutions

Pharmacology and the Nursing Process

7th EditionJulie S Snyder, Linda Lilley, Shelly Collins

388 solutions

Essentials of Medical Language

4th EditionDavid M Allan, Rachel Basco

404 solutions

Medical Terminology Systems

8th EditionBarbara A. Gylys

1,379 solutions

Why should you not pre label collection tubes?

Further, pre-labeling impedes visual confirmation that the tube is filling and often obscures the manufacturer's optimum fill indicator, leading to underfilled tubes and higher sample rejection rates. There is no evidence pre-collection labeling reduces labelling errors.

Should blood tubes be labeled prior to collection?

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.

Is pre Labelling of blood samples recommended in routine blood collection?

Pre-labelling of blood collection tubes/sample tubes and pots is poor practice, increases risks of misidentification and is not acceptable. It is also important to clearly identify the investigations required with relevant supporting information.

When labeling a tube you should never?

DON'T wrap the label around the tube horizontally, diagonally across it, or as a flag on it. If the tube is labeled in this way, the scanner may not be able to fully read the barcode.