CAP Pro Course - Phlebotomy - Common Pitfalls in Specimen Processing

Continuing Education Credits

• P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours: 1 hour(s)
• Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE Credit Hours -
  General: 1 hour(s)

Objectives

• Recognize the importance of certain preanalytical variables in the provision of quality specimens for laboratory testing.
• Describe specific processing and handling errors that can potentially affect laboratory testing.
• Define common specimen rejection criteria.
• Outline proper centrifuging procedures, including work practices that promote safe specimen processing and handling.

Course Outline

• Recognize the importance of certain preanalytical variables in the provision of quality specimens for laboratory testing.
• Preanalytical Variables
• Common Sources of Preanalytical Error in Blood Collection
• Blood Collection Additives and Their Use
• Primary Specimen Identification and Labeling
• Guidelines for Body Fluid Labeling and Handling
• General Considerations in Handling Common Body Fluids
• Which of the following steps is the most important in the process of specimen collection by venipuncture or dermal puncture?
• Select the process below that is not a part of the preanalytical phase of the laboratory testing.
• Jolene, a new specimen processor, receives a purple-top EDTA tube of blood and a requisition for prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thrombopl...
• Which of the following blood collection tube types is appropriate for collecting a hematology test that requires a whole blood EDTA sample?
• Describe specific processing and handling errors that can potentially affect laboratory testing.
• Common Specimen Processing and Handling Errors
• Effects of Transportation, Time, and Temperature on Blood Specimens
• Processing Serum and Plasma Specimens
• A Note About Specimen Storage
• Which of the following actions can produce hemolysis in a blood specimen?
• An Emergency Department physician calls the laboratory to add calcitonin testing to a serum specimen collected earlier the same day. The collection de...
• A specimen processing employee removes a gold-top tube from the centrifuge and notices there are still red blood cells in the liquid portion (serum) o...
• Which processing error is likely to cause serum or plasma that is still found in contact with blood cells below the gel barrier to move into the cell-...
• Define common specimen rejection criteria.
• Common Reasons for Specimen Rejection
• Specimen Label Correction
• Angie receives a light green-top, lithium heparin tube from the floor for hematology testing that includes a CBC with differential and sedimentation r...
• Several specimen issues are presented below that could warrant rejection of the specimen and possible recollection. Which one of these situations pres...
• Based on typical laboratory specimen rejection criteria, which of the following patient samples would be acceptable for testing?
• What is the maximum time a blood tube collected for a routine potassium test should be held prior to centrifugation?
• Outline proper centrifuging procedures, including work practices that promote safe specimen processing and handling.
• Phases of Centrifugation
• Proper Centrifugation Operation
• Disinfection Procedures for Centrifuge Spills
• Engineering Controls and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Serum poured into an aliquot tube is observed to have an obvious fibrin clot in it when it reaches the chemistry department for testing. What is the m...
• Chris is a long-time employee in the specimen processing department. He occasionally opens the centrifuge as it slows to stop the rotor with his hand ...
• Numerous, assorted blood collection tubes have just been delivered through the pneumatic tube system from several locations throughout the hospital. T...
• What personal protective equipment (PPE) is not typically worn when processing specimens that may produce splashing?
• References
• References

Additional Information