Phlebotomy Guide
Labelling the Samples
- Bottle may be labelled with Millennium or ICE stickers (where used) but must NOT be labelled with ADDRESSOGRAPH labels. Do not attach Millennium or ICE labels to paediatric tubes. Do not use any type of labels, including Millennium or ICE labels on Blood Transfusion samples. These samples should only be handwritten. Guidance on labelling Blood Transfusion samples can be found in the Requesting & Reporting section.
- Label bottles with patient's unique identifier (either Registration or NHS No. or DOB), Surname, Forename, location, date, i.e. at least 3 identifiers. DOB, ward and Date. Certain tests e.g. glucose, APTT, INR, thrombophilia screen require time on the bottles as well.
- Write the time of collection on the sample request form.
- Finally sign/initial the form in bottom right corner. Do all this before leaving the patient. See also special instructions for labelling blood transfusion samples – these MUST be adhered to.
- In all cases, leave patient comfortable and safe reporting any problems to your manager of nursing staff on ward.
Blood Collection Tubes
Sample containers must be in date. Users must check that they are using in date consumables.
Blood collection tubes must not be labelled before taking the sample. You should prepare by getting together all the materials you need for the blood collection including the set of Millennium or ICE stickers if appropriate. Next, take the blood sample, before finally labelling the tube (Millennium/ICE sticker or writing on the tube label) whilst cross checking the identity of the patient.
Bottles may be labelled with Millennium or ICE stickers where appropriate but other sticky labels must NOT be attached to any blood tube.
When handwriting patient and collection details onto a blood tubes you must include (on each tube) the patients surname, forenameand a unique identifier (Registration or NHS number, or DOB), location and date, ie. at least 3 identifiers. Certain tests such as glucose, drug tests, APTT, INR and thrombophilia screen all require the collection time on the tubes as well.
Also, write the time of collection on the request form.
See also special instructions for labelling blood transfusion samples.
Please note
- No result can be issued for unidentifiable specimens; unlabelled or illegibly labelled specimens will normally be discarded. The requesting clinician, if identifiable, will be asked to submit a fresh specimen.
- In the case of irreplaceable specimens e.g. histology resection specimens the submitting clinician will be asked to come to the department to identify and label any unlabelled specimens prior to processing.
- Incorrectly labelled cervical cytology specimens will be returned to sender.
- The Pathology Laboratories cannot take responsibility for results obtained from inadequately labelled specimens.
- If there is any discrepancy between data on the request form and specimen, the generation of results may be delayed until the information is checked.
- It is the requesting Doctor's or Healthcare Practitioner's responsibility to ensure that the correct sample is sent to the laboratory and that positive sample identification is possible.
- Blood transfusion samples are an area of particular concern. These samples cannot be processed without the above information in full. A new sample will need to be provided & must be signed by the person taking the blood signed by person taking the blood or labelled with a demand printed BloodTack Tx Label.