What is a mislabeled specimen?
Varied definitions for ‘specimen mislabeling’ have been used interchangeably in the existing literature. For example, when a specimen from one patient is labeled with another patient’s name some studies described this error as ‘mislabeled specimens’ when as others categories this error as ‘wrong blood in tube’.
What is the procedure for collecting specimens?
There are four steps involved in obtaining a good quality specimen for testing: (1) preparation of the patient, (2) collection of the specimen, (3) processing the specimen, and (4) storing and/or transporting the specimen.
How can mislabeled specimens be prevented?
For example, to prevent errors during collection and processing, avoid having specimens from multiple patients in the active work area at the same time. Also, avoid using strips of labels from a label printer with labels for multiple patients that must be matched to specimens.
How often was it estimated that phlebotomy samples were mislabeled in 2006?
The best data on errors in U.S. laboratories comes from three separate College of American Pathologists (CAP) Q-Probe studies, in which the reported rates of mislabeled specimens were 0.39/1000 in 120 institutions (2006), 0.92/1000 in 147 clinical labs (2008), and 1.12% of blood bank specimens in 122 clinical labs ( …
What is mislabeled mean?
Definition of mislabel transitive verb. : to label (something) incorrectly or falsely DNA tests on seafood in Texas and elsewhere have showed that seafood at markets and restaurants is mislabeled roughly one-third of the time.—
What are the types of specimen collection?
The types of biological samples accepted in most clinical laboratories are: serum samples, virology swab samples, biopsy and necropsy tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, whole blood for PCR, and urine samples. These are collected in specific containers for successful processing in the laboratory.
How are specimens transported to the lab?
Specimens may be transported through the pneumatic tube system if approved by Pneumatic Tube Administration. This includes blood culture bottles (if placed in plastic carrier), Vacutainer® tubes and swabs. Specimens should be in tightly sealed, leak proof containers and transported in sealable, leak-proof plastic bags.
What are 3 ways to collect a urine specimen?
Diagnosis requires collection of urine generally by 1 of 4 methods: sterile urine bag, urethral catheterization (CATH), suprapubic aspiration (SPA), or clean-catch (CC).
Why it is desirable to label each specimen properly?
Accurately identifying patients and correctly labeling specimens are critical to ensure patient safety. If a specimen in not accurately identified, it can lead to delayed or wrong diagnoses, missed or incorrect treatments, blood transfusion errors, and more.
What is the sample collection?
29 April, 2008. Specimen collection is the process of obtaining tissue or fluids for laboratory analysis or near-patient testing.
What happens when lab specimens are found to be labeled incorrectly?
Unquestionably, the most serious consequence of specimen labeling errors on the direct care of patients is of one of the following types: Failure to provide proper and immediate care to a patient based on the lack of accurate test results associated with the proper patient.
Is it mislabeled or mislabelled?
verb (used with object), mis·la·beled, mis·la·bel·ing or (especially British) mis·la·belled, mis·la·bel·ling. to label wrongly, incorrectly, or misleadingly: to mislabel a bottle of medicine.
What is an example of mislabeled specimen?
For example, when a specimen from one patient is labeled with another patient’s name some studies described this error as ‘mislabeled specimens’ when as others categories this error as ‘wrong blood in tube’.
What is the rate of mislabeled specimen errors?
Recently, the total number of mislabeled specimen errors identified by our department (from all laboratory sections including blood bank) was occurring at a defect rate of roughly 4.4 Sigma (that is, ~ 99.8 % of all specimens received were labeled correctly upon receipt). This was still determined a significant area of opportunity for improvement.
What are common ID errors related to laboratory specimens?
ID errors related to laboratory specimens may involve misidentification of a patient or a patient specimen. Patient ID errors and sample mislabeling at the time of collection remain a serious problem in most clinical laboratories.
What is the cost of specimen mislabeling at hospital X?
Hospital X has an average specimen mislabeling 250 times per month. Through specimen mislabeling case audits, key staff in Hospital X determined that the average total cost per mislabeling incident is USD 500.