1. Perform Blood Collection
Specimen labelling
Perform Blood Collection

3. Purpose
To ensure all specimens are labelled exactly as the request form is written
To prevent mislabelling, unlabelled specimens and potential risks
Collectors should understand their obligations and responsibilities when performing this very repetitive role

4. Importantly
Every effort must be made to ensure that all specimens are labelled correctly.
3 patient identifiers must be present and correct for specimens to be accepted for testing

5. Procedure
All specimens must be labelled in the presence of the patient
Requirements are: surname, first name, DOB, date, time of collection, gender, phlebotomist’s initials
Label directly from form using a black pen
Hold tube directly against form underneath the correct spelling of the patient’s name and DOB

6. Procedure Label each tube in capital letters
Phlebotomist must spell the name, say DOB out loud whilst labelling tube…
This prevents patient from talking and reassures the patient that details are correct
This must be repeated for each tube that is labelled
Each tube must be initialled by the collector
This is a NATA requirement

7. Labelling
Specific to Clinpath…. Adhesive labels on forms must not be used. If these labels have been used by the Doctor on a specimen, ensure all details are printed correctly

8. Barcoding Every patient episode will have a unique ID with a barcode
This is performed following labelling of the tubes
This is the phlebotomist’s confirmation that labelling is complete and matches the form exactly

9. Barcoding This allows lab instruments to ID patients immediately
Usually come in groups of 12 identical numbers, both large and small
All surplus barcodes must be disposed of immediately at completion of the episode

10. Barcoding
Should be affixed to top right hand corner of request form (usually covers some information, such as lab phone number)
Leave a small space between the top tube label and bottom, so that the volume of fluid can be seen
Numbers should run parallel to the label

11. Barcoding
If there are not enough barcodes, write the number in black pen on an adhesive blank label and apply to remaining containers
All paperwork also require a matching barcode
Blood culture bottles need barcodes on both bottles, over the existing barcode
Urine pots to have a barcode on both the side and the lid

12. Request forms
All information written by the collector must be in black pen
Some pathology companies require a collection centre code to be written on the form, a staff ID number and the tubes collected, using additive names, not colour

13. Request forms Do not write codes on form before collection
Do not complete date/ time/ collector ID prior to collection
NATA requires phlebotomist to sign the form
Each specimen must be complete and all labelling finished, checked and bagged before commencing another episode