General Considerations for Specimen Collection

When collecting specimen, wear gloves to protect self from contact with body fluids.

1. Get request for specimen collection and identify the types of specimen being collected and the patient from which the specimen collected.

2. Give adequate explanation to the patient about the purpose, type of specimen being collected and the method used.

3. Assemble and organize all the necessary materials for the specimen collection.

4. Get the appropriate specimen container and it should be clearly labeled have tight cover to seal the content and placed in the plastic bag or racks, so that it protects the laboratory technician from contamination while handling it.
• The patient's identification such as, name, age, card number, the ward and bed number (if in-patient).
• The types of specimen and method used (if needed).
• The time and date of the specimen collected.

6. Put the collected specimen into its container without contaminating outer parts of the container and its cover. All the specimens should be sent promptly to the laboratory, so that the temperature and time changes do not alter the content.