Pocket Guide to Diagnostic Tests-0838581358.pdf

24 Pocket Guide to Diagnostic Tests
1. OBTAINING AND PROCESSING BODY FLUIDS
A. Safety Considerations
General Safety Considerations
Because all patient specimens are potentially infectious, the
following precautions should be observed:
a. Universal body fluid and needle stick precautions must be
observed at all times.
b. Disposable gloves and sometimes gown, mask, and goggles
should be worn when collecting specimens.
c. Gloves should be changed and hands washed after contact
with each patient. Dispose of gloves in an appropriate biohazard
waste container.
d. Any spills should be cleaned up with 10% bleach solution.
Handling and Disposing of Needles and Gloves
a. Do not resheath needles.
b. Discard needles and gloves only into designated containers.
c. Do not remove a used needle from a syringe by hand.
The needle may be removed using a specially designed
waste collection system, or the entire assembly may (if
disposable) be discarded as a unit into a designated
container.
d. When obtaining blood cultures, it is hazardous and unnecessary
to change needles.
e. Do not place phlebotomy or other equipment on the patient’s
bed.
B. Specimen Handling
Identification of Specimens
a. Identify the patient before obtaining the specimen. (If the
patient is not known to you, ask for the name and check the
wristband.)
b. Label each specimen container with the patient’s name and
identification number.
Specimen Tubes: Standard specimen tubes are now widely
available and are easily identified by the color of the stopper (see
also p 37):
a. Red-top tubes contain no anticoagulants or preservatives
and are used for chemistry tests.
b. Marbled-top tubes contain material that allows ready
separation of serum and clot by centrifugation.
c. Lavender-top tubes contain EDTA and are used for hematology
tests (eg, blood or cell counts, differentials).