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🔬Lab & Specimen Handling

What if a sample is rejected by the lab?

If a lab rejects a specimen, the provider is notified. A redraw may be necessary. Responsibility for redraws is addressed in the provider's service agreement.

Common rejection reasons:

  • Hemolysis — red blood cells broken during collection, turning serum pink/red (usually technique-related)
  • Insufficient volume — tube not filled adequately
  • Incorrect tube type — wrong anticoagulant for the ordered test
  • Clotted specimen — anticoagulated tube not properly mixed
  • Mislabeling — specimen label doesn't match requisition
  • Temperature excursion — specimen exposed to incorrect temperature during transport

    • When rejection is due to provider error, a redraw is arranged at no cost to the patient.

    Is it safe to draw multiple tubes in one session?Who is responsible for redraws?

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