Specimen Collection and Lab Processing

Step-by-Step Procedure

1. 1

   Confirm the test order and give the patient clear collection instructions specific to the specimen type (e.g., clean-catch midstream urine technique).

2. 2

   Provide the correct container for the specimen type and any required preservative or transport medium.

3. 3

   Label the container with patient identifiers before or immediately upon receiving the specimen — never after setting it aside.

4. 4

   For point-of-care testing (e.g., urine dipstick, rapid strep), follow the manufacturer's exact procedure and timing, since misreading a color-change test outside its window gives an invalid result.

5. 5

   For specimens going to an outside lab, package and store them per that lab's requirements (refrigerated, room temperature, or frozen) and complete the requisition accurately.

6. 6

   Log specimen chain-of-custody information where required (e.g., certain drug screens) and ensure the log and label match exactly.

7. 7

   Dispose of any contaminated materials per OSHA bloodborne pathogen and biohazard waste protocols.

Quality Checkpoints

• ✓

  Container and labeling match the patient and are applied immediately, not after the specimen sits unlabeled.

• ✓

  Point-of-care tests are read within their validated time window, not early or late.

• ✓

  Outside-lab specimens are stored and transported at the correct temperature for that specific test.

• ✓

  Biohazard waste is disposed of per protocol, not mixed with regular trash.

Common Mistakes

• ⚠

  Reading a rapid test result after its validated window has passed, which can produce a false positive or false negative.

• ⚠

  Collecting a urine specimen without giving the patient clear clean-catch instructions, leading to a contaminated sample and a need to recollect.

• ⚠

  Letting a temperature-sensitive specimen sit at room temperature too long before it reaches the lab.

• ⚠

  Labeling a batch of specimens all at once after collecting several, instead of immediately after each one.

On-the-Job Tips

• →

  Keep manufacturer quick-reference cards for your point-of-care tests visible near the testing station — exact timing windows are easy to misremember under time pressure.

• →

  When giving a patient collection instructions, have them repeat the key step back to you (e.g., "clean first, then catch midstream") to confirm they understood.

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