L–000867(A)
E–1
E – Blood Collection and Handling
General Comments
The quality of a test is only as good as the quality of the specimen. The following guidelines help
ensure the quality of the blood specimens collected in your offi ce, as well as the safety of the staff
performing the tests.
These specimen collection guidelines are derived from those recommended by the National Commit-
tee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) in the specimen collection section of the “Physician’s
Offi ce Laboratory Guidelines” (NCCLS Document POL1 and POL2). For more information, contact
NCCLS at 771 East Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085 (215) 525-2435.
Universal Precautions for Specimen Handling
WARNINGS
BLOOD AND BODY FLUIDS MAY CONTAIN THE HEPATITIS B VIRUS (HBV), HEPA-
TITIS C VIRUS (HCV), HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV), OR OTHER
DISEASE-CAUSING AGENTS.
HANDLE ALL PATIENT SPECIMENS AS POTENTIAL BIOHAZARDS CAPABLE OF
TRANSMITTING INFECTION.
WEAR APPROPRIATE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING LABO-
RATORY GLOVES, WHEN COLLECTING, HANDLING, AND PROCESSING BLOOD
AND BODY FLUIDS.
IN ADDITION TO WEARING GLOVES, THE USE OF DISPOSABLE LAB COATS OR
GOWNS AND PROTECTIVE GLASSES OR GOGGLES IS RECOMMENDED WHEN
WORKING AROUND THE INSTRUMENT .
