LABORATORY SPECIMEN COLLECTION and TESTING GUIDE FOR PROVIDERS

We take great pride in this Guide. It contains all relevant laboratory policies, processes, and procedures appropriate to the submission of specimens by providers and patient location staff.

• Examples of sections in this manual are:
  • Phlebotomy procedures including vacutainer, syringe and fingerstick blood collection
  • Comprehensive specimen collection guidelines for all laboratory sections
  • Specimen transportation requirements and proper ways to ship specimens
  • Specimen rejection criteria
  • Other processes unique to your organization
• This manual also contains an 'Alphabetical Test Index' that includes:
  • Test name, Specimen Requirements, Patient Preparation, Specimen Rejection Criteria, Test Methodology, Testing Location, Interpretive Guidelines and References
  • If the test is sent to a reference laboratory, the reference lab's guidelines are incorporated (an accreditation requirement)
• You will also be given the option of a pocket edition of this Guide, to be distributed to providers and patient care locations.
• Utilization of this Guide by the clinical staff reduces inappropriate submission of specimens (and therefore specimen rejection) and inquiries about specimen collection. Imagine the time savings to your laboratory staff!