Specimen Collection and Lab Medicine Samples †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Specimen Collection and Lab Medicine. Answer: Collection of the samples: For determining a patients health the laboratory test is the most vital part. The diagnostic of a patient is completely depended upon the accuracy of the results of the test. So it is necessary that the collection of the specimen are done accurately, labelled correctly and then stored in a cool container for transportation to the medical laboratory. The specimens are collected by the nurses or the pathologist that includes stool, urine, sputum and blood. They had to do this very carefully for reducing the risk of contamination, to avoiding any discrepancies in accurate results that may lead to wrong treatment[1]. The specimens that are collected are then labelled by the patients full name, their identification number and date of birth. These specimens are then properly sealed in a polythene bag and are sent to the laboratory immediately after collection as delay in the specimen may lead to incorrect results. In any case immediate transportation cannot be done then; the specimens are stored according to the guidelines provided. Criteria for patient identification for request and samples: The samples specimens are accepted in the laboratory only if the patients full name, proper ID code of the hospital and date of birth is clearly written on the sample[2]. The acceptance of the request form also follows the same criteria. It must contain the full name of the patient, the Patient ID, the NHS number and date of birth. The samples are not being accepted for the further process if: The samples are not labelled correctly or not properly matched with the form. Does not contain proper identification of the patient or sample. Incorrect sample for the requested test. Proper amount of sample is not present as required The samples which are collected or packed in a hazardous condition Wrong storage or transport of the samples. If the blood plasma is clotted or the blood sample is frozen. If the specimen container is leaked or broken. Problem in sample collection: Two examples of problems while collecting the specimen are: General specimen collection - Insufficient quantity of specimen for doing the test which can cause harm to the test. Incorrect use of the container for keeping the samples may lead to the inaccuracy in the results. Failing to maintain the specimen such as using the appropriate container, closing the lid of the container properly and not keeping in the required temperature. These can be avoided by carefully handling the samples while collecting or preserving them[3]. In sufficient quantity it is one of the most common problems in collection of samples. It can be reduced by collecting an adequate amount of sample for performing the test and by maintaining the samples for getting the accuracy in the test results[4]. References Fischer, G. W., Daum, L. T. 2015.S. Patent No. 9,212,399. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Neumann RM, Garvey C, Kaufman S. Biospecimen collection, processing, and analysis: new challenges for oncology nurses. InSeminars in oncology nursing 2014 May 31 (Vol. 30, No. 2, pp. 117-123). WB Saunders. Sangha J, inventor; Laboratory Corporation Of America Holdings, assignee. Direct specimen collection device and cassette. United States patent application US 15/431,590. 2017 Feb 13. Armstrong M. Blood sample processing: clinical perspectives on recent developments in technology and laboratory operations. Laboratory Medicine. 2015 Aug 29;43(1):7-10.