Specimen Labeling

Improving the accuracy of patient identification is one of the National Patient Safety Goals as implemented by The Joint Commission (TJC) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP). This goal requires two identifiers on each patient specimen. Please note:

• Specimens not labeled according to the requirements below will not be accepted for testing by our laboratory.
• The lab will notify you concerning any specimen labeling issues.
• Irretrievable specimen labeling issues will be referred to a pathologist for consultation.

Tubes

	Acceptable label placement. Align the label lengthwise at the top of the tube with the patient’s name reading from left to right. Make sure labels are straight and wrinkle-free so the bar codes can be read.
	Acceptable label placement. The label is oriented correctly and wrinkle-free.
	Acceptable label placement. The label is oriented correctly and wrinkle-free.
	Unacceptable label placement. The label is oriented incorrectly. It wraps around the tube widthwise instead of lengthwise. The scanner can’t read this barcode.
	Unacceptable label placement. The label is oriented incorrectly and wrinkled. The scanner can’t read this barcode.

Culture Bottles

	Acceptable label placement. Align the label lengthwise along the body of the bottle, with the patient’s name reading from left to right. Make sure labels are straight and wrinkle-free so the bar codes can be read.
	Unacceptable label placement. The label is oriented incorrectly. It wraps around the bottle widthwise instead of lengthwise. The scanner can’t read this barcode.
	Unacceptable label placement. The label is oriented incorrectly. It wraps around the bottle diagonally instead of lengthwise. The scanner can’t read this barcode.

Cups

Urine Jugs