CAP Pro Course - Phlebotomy - General Specimen Handling and Transportation Requirements (2025 & 2026)

Author: Carol Becker, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM
Reviewer: Alexandru Casapu, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, PBTCM

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Identify the need to control preanalytical variables in the laboratory testing process.
  • Describe preanalytical sources of error in blood specimen transport and handling.
  • Recognize preanalytical sources of error in the transport and processing of specimens other than blood.
  • Examine the recognized methods of proper specimen transport and storage requirements.

Course Outline

  • Identify the need to control preanalytical variables in the laboratory testing process.
      • Quality Assurance of Preanalytical Specimens
      • Preserving Specimen Integrity
      • The Importance of Controlling Preanalytical Variables
      • A primary specimen container is submitted to the laboratory for testing. It is labeled with the following information:Patient's full nameHospital room...
      • The chemistry department received this aliquot from a urine specimen received in processing (see picture below). After reviewing the label, a staff me...
      • Total and direct bilirubin testing is ordered for collection on a newborn. The chart below provides the laboratory's specimen requirements for the ana...
      • Total and direct bilirubin testing is ordered for collection on a newborn. The following chart provides the laboratory specimen requirements for the a...
  • Describe preanalytical sources of error in blood specimen transport and handling.
      • Blood Specimen Transport
      • Blood Specimen Processing
      • Blood Specimen Processing: Other Preanalytical Factors
      • Centrifugation: Gel Barrier Tubes
      • Centrifugation: Plasma Specimens for Coagulation Testing
      • Eric, a new processor, has received two tubes through the pneumatic tube system from a medical-surgical floor for a CBC and a stat prothrombin time (P...
      • A blood specimen is drawn on a patient in a long-term care facility near the hospital laboratory that will be doing the testing. A courier has deliver...
      • A gel separator tube is received with orders for a serum protein test and a direct antiglobulin test (DAT). How should this request be handled?
      • A phlebotomist collects a specimen for laboratory testing using a blood collection tube that is past its expiration date. Which of the following is a ...
      • A specimen that has been collected for a plasma ammonia is delivered on ice to the specimen processing area. How should this specimen be prepared for ...
  • Recognize preanalytical sources of error in the transport and processing of specimens other than blood.
      • Transporting and Processing Specimens Other Than Blood: Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
      • Transporting and Processing Specimens Other Than Blood: Urine for Urinalysis
      • Transporting and Processing Specimens Other Than Blood: 24-Hour Urine Collections
      • Jordan, a new employee in the processing department, has received three numbered (1, 2, 3) tubes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on a patient. She access...
      • Which of the following actions is appropriate when a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimen is delivered to the laboratory's specimen processing area?
      • Within what time frame should a urine specimen that does not contain preservative be processed for a routine urinalysis if it is stored at room temper...
      • A 24-hour urine specimen for 17-ketogenic steroids was brought to the laboratory by the patient upon completion of collection. The preservative, 50% a...
      • A patient has submitted a 24-hour urine specimen to the laboratory processing area. The testing requested is for fractionated catecholamines. The labo...
  • Examine the recognized methods of proper specimen transport and storage requirements.
      • General Transportation Guidelines
      • Specimen Retention and General Storage Considerations
      • General Storage Requirements of Specimens Based on Test
      • At noon, an emergency department (ED) nurse called the processing department to request an "add-on" test to a specimen drawn on a patient at 7:00 AM. ...
      • A courier has delivered an unspun gold-top tube with gel barrier for a serum basic metabolic profile to the processing department. Which of the follow...
      • A pneumatic tube system carrier arrives in the laboratory with several specimens enclosed in one zip lock biohazard bag. A lavender-top tube in the ba...
      • A blood specimen is sent to the laboratory through the pneumatic tube system. The specimen is placed directly into the carrier without placing it into...
      • Which of the following statements is true with regards to chilling/refrigerating whole blood collection tubes for chemistry testing before centrifugat...
      • Each laboratory will have written procedures outlining the criteria for transporting all types of specimens. Which of these specimens is acceptable fo...
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Basic
Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for MLS, MT, and MLT personnel, phlebotomists, medical laboratory science students and interns, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.
Author Information: Carol Becker, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM is a retired Program Director for the Clinical Laboratory Science program and Histology program at OSF St. Francis Medical Center located in Peoria, Illinois. Carol received her Master's degree at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois, and her Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL.
Reviewer Information: Alexandru Casapu, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, PBTCM, has over 20 years of experience as a medical laboratory scientist, section supervisor, and laboratory manager. He is the former Director of the Clinical Laboratory Technology Program at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. Alex holds BS degrees in Biology and Medical Technology from Clark Atlanta University and an MBA from the University of Georgia.

This course is part of the CAP Competency Assessment Hub.

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