15 Tube Labeling
Principle
The purpose of having a specific labelling procedure is to ensure consistency between technologists within a specific laboratory when they are performing various Transfusion Medicine serologic procedures.
Related Policies
Each test tube must bear labelling to minimally identify the patient and the test and/or reagent so that another technologist would be able to complete testing, if required.
Procedures
- Using a permanent marker, label the cell suspension and plasma tube (12×75)with the patients’ last name, first initial and medical record number (MRN), if the lettering exceeds 15 letters, in which case the last name may be shortened, but must be immediately identifiable.
- Label each tube required for testing (10×75) with the appropriate test/anti-sera/reagent/reagent red cell names and the patient’s initials and MRN, thereby ensuring each tube now has at least two pieces of identification (patient name and identity of reagent in tube).
Notes
- Any tube/slide which cannot be immediately identified should be discarded and the test procedure repeated from the beginning.