Contents
Accurate Labeling
Your patients depend on you to label their specimens accurately and completely, ensuring that the right test is run on the right specimen for the right patient. To minimize opportunities for error or recollection, PeaceHealth Laboratories adheres to patient safety guidelines established by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and the College of American Pathologists.
Labeling Instructions
- Two patient identifiers are required on every specimen. This includes the patient’s first and last name plus either the patient’s date of birth or requisition number.
- This combination ensures that each specimen arrives at the laboratory with a unique identifier. The specimen tube and requisition are matched at the laboratory. Missing or incorrect information may cause delay or rejection.
- Clearly label each specimen with this information at time of collection. Attach the label lengthwise to the tube.
- Please use only the patient’s full legal name (no nicknames). The name must match the requisition.
Special Requirements for Prenatal Tests
Specimens for prenatal tests are required to be labeled with the patient’s first and last name and date of birth, as results determine if a blood product (RhoGAM) will be administered. The requisition number is not acceptable as the second identifier.
Specimens without the patient’s full name and date of birth will be rejected.
Prenatal tests requiring patient date of birth
- Prenatal tests (collected in tubes with pink tops)
- Obstetrics or prenatal panel
- ABO (Blood type)
- Rh type
- Antibody screen
Download Labeling Instructions (PDF: 1.6 MB)