Question

You are working in specimen processing and receive a specimen from the emergency department (ED) for a STAT CBC. The requisition contains information for Bobby Brown but the tube is labeled Bobby Smith. You call the ED and speak with the collecting nurse who

assures you the blood is that of Bobby Brown and she asked you to relabel the specimen. How should you proceed?
Select one:
a. Relabel the specimen as instructed by the nurse.
b. Send the specimen back to the ED for them to properly relabel.
c. Reject the specimen and request a recollection.
d. Hold the mislabeled specimen until the end of the shift, when there's more time to deal
with it.

Answer 1

When a specimen is mislabeled, the proper course of action is to reject it and request a new collection. It is crucial to follow correct labeling protocols to ensure patient safety and the reliability of blood sample analysis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct course of action when encountering a specimen mislabeling issue is to reject the specimen and request a recollection (c. Reject the specimen and request a recollection). Relabeling the tube as per the nurse's instructions could lead to potential errors in patient identification, which is a critical factor for ensuring accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Moreover, proper specimen labeling protocol must be followed to maintain the integrity of the blood sample process and patient safety. It's essential to prioritize correct identification of samples to avoid any medical errors, which could have serious consequences.