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Specimen Collection & Transportation Policy

At Vampire Nurse on Wheels, we are committed to ensuring that all specimens are collected, handled, and transported to the laboratory in a safe, accurate, and timely manner, in compliance with professional nursing standards and laboratory requirements.

Specimen Collection & Transportation Policy

1. Purpose

This policy outlines procedures for the collection, labeling, storage, and transportation of specimens (blood, urine, swabs, or other approved samples) to ensure specimen integrity, client safety, and compliance with laboratory protocols.

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2. Collection of Specimens

  • Specimens will only be collected with a valid requisition from a licensed physician or nurse practitioner.

  • All specimens will be collected by a Registered Nurse using appropriate infection prevention and control (IPAC) practices.

  • Proper equipment and supplies (needles, vacutainers, sterile containers, swabs, etc.) will be used as per laboratory specifications.

  • Clients will be informed of the procedure, and verbal consent will be obtained prior to collection.

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3. Labeling & Documentation

  • All specimens will be labeled immediately at the point of collection, in the presence of the client.

  • Labels must include: client’s full name, date of birth, date/time of collection, and nurse’s initials.

  • Requisitions will be reviewed for accuracy and completeness and securely attached to each specimen as required.

  • Documentation of collection will be recorded in client records, including date, time, type of specimen, and any concerns.

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4. Storage & Transport

  • Specimens will be placed in appropriate laboratory-approved transport containers (biohazard bags with separate compartments for requisitions).

  • Specimens will be stored under conditions specified by the laboratory (e.g., room temperature, refrigeration, protection from light) until transport.

  • Specimens will be transported to the designated laboratory drop-off site as soon as possible, within laboratory-accepted timeframes.

  • Chain of custody and transport logs will be maintained for accountability.

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5. Safety Precautions

  • Standard precautions and appropriate PPE (gloves, masks, etc.) will be used during collection and handling.

  • Sharps will be disposed of immediately in approved sharps containers.

  • Any specimen spills or accidents will be managed according to infection control procedures and documented.

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6. Client Notification

  • Clients will be informed of expected laboratory processing times and how results will be communicated (by their ordering healthcare provider).

  • Any issues with specimen collection, labeling, or transport will be communicated promptly to the client and/or ordering provider.

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7. Compliance

  • All practices will comply with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) standards, Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines, and requirements of the contracted laboratory (e.g., LifeLabs, Dynacare).

  • Nurses are responsible for maintaining competency in specimen collection and handling procedures.

 

Specimen Collection & Transport (Summary):
At Vampire Nurse on Wheels, all specimens (blood, urine, swabs) are collected by Registered Nurses following strict infection control practices. Each specimen is labeled in your presence, stored under proper conditions, and transported promptly to the laboratory for processing. We work in compliance with Ontario health regulations and laboratory standards to ensure your results are safe, accurate, and reliable.

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