Laboratory Safety
20 seconds
What is the proper length of time to wash your hands?
Blood containers, microbiology containers/plates, aptima containers, and body fluid/urine containers
What are the 4 major categories of specimen containers?
18 - 25 degrees Celcius
What is room temperature
Test with a TAT of < 4 hours offered to clients within a 45 minute radius of the lab.
What is a STAT test?
Test results are either phoned or faxed to the client, based on client's preference
What is a STAT test result?
15 minutes
What is the minimum amount of time needed to flush eyes or flood exposed area under a safety shower?
Speckled or Gold top
What color tube contains a clot activator and gel separator?
35.6 to 46.6 degrees Fahrenheit
What is the appropriate storage temperature for a refrigerated specimen?
Accessioned as soon as possible after receipt and resulted within 24 hours.
What is a Same Day Test
Patient test results which do not require special delivery actions.
Lab coat, goggles/face shield, and gloves
What are some examples of PPE?
Lavender, light blue, grey, green, mint green, and yellow top tubes
What color tubes yield plasma?
Gel separator is at the bottom of the tube, with 2 distinct layers visible (whole blood and gel)
What is an unspun specimen?
Requires special handling by all parties so the specimen is analyzed with the next test run and reported to the client ASAP
Patient test results which are considered life threatening
What is a panic/critical test result?
Chewing gum, applying makeup (including lip balm), and eating/drinking
What is prohibited in the lab?
A second test automatically performed when the initial test meets certain criteria.
What is a reflex test?
Occurs when the red blood cells break, causing the serum/plasma to have a red tinge
What is hemolysis?
TAT's vary depending on test ordered and may be greater than 24 hours, such as microbiology testing
What is a routine test?
Test results that significantly deviate from normal values and may be customized by the client based on professional judgement and practice needs
What is an alert test result?
Safety glasses/goggles
What is the last PPE that should be removed when doffing?
A second test, often more specific, ordered separately by the doctor to confirm the results of the initial test. May sometimes also be a reflex test.
How do you handle an improperly spun gel separator tube?
Sample may receive a STAT pickup, but should be marked as "same day" in STAT Trax
What is a priority test?
Test result which requires immediate verbal notification to the physician or other clinical personnel responsible for the patient's care
What is a panic/critical test result?