Diagnosing Specimen Collection Issues

Errors in specimen collection result in inaccurate results. This presentation focuses on identifying specimen collection issues and strategies for preventing them. We will discuss common errors in patient identification, phlebotomy techniques, and specimen labeling. We will also discuss identifying collection issues via pre-analytical processes, training for accuracy in collection, and monitoring improvement.

Originally published on November 3, 2022, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Lecture Presenter
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Ken Curtis, BS PBT(ASCP)
Ken Curtis, BS PBT(ASCP)
Assistant Group Manager-Support Services, ARUP Laboratories

Ken has worked with ARUP for over 13 years. In that time he has been a phlebotomy trainer, training supervisor, Phlebotomy Supervisor, and most recently supervisor of ARUP’s Exception Handling Department. He has presented on pre-analytical issues at the ASCLS and CLMA state meetings and The CLMA national meeting.

Objectives

After this presentation, participants will be able to:

Recognize the most common specimen collection issues
Recognize the ways these collection issues impact testing
Identify ways to implement processes to improve quality of specimen collection