Obtaining samples for the laboratory

Mislabeling, incomplete or incorrect requisition forms, and in-vitro hemolysis are the most common problems related to specimen handling. Postprandial lipemia, administration of corticosteroids, and use of excess EDTA in the collecting tube may interfere with test results. Specimens for coagulation profiles should be collected in tubes containing EDTA or citrate. Most urinalysis errors result from improper sample collection, inappropriate storage, and delayed analysis.