Laboratory Labels Research Chart: Most Common Lab Specimen Errors for Laboratory Managers

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Respondent Details

Statements from the following verified business professionals were used to create this chart:

	Company Size	Industry	Response
Laboratory Manager	State & Local	Government	Mislabeled specimen – incorrect name, contents, information, or specimen source Incomplete specimen label – missing information on label, e.g. patient information, date, time Requisition/specimen mismatched – name on specimen doesn’t match requisition
Laboratory Technologist	Fortune 500	Healthcare	Improper specimen collection/handling – insufficient quantity collected, improper storage, contamination of specimen Unlabeled specimen – missing label on specimen Incomplete specimen label – missing information on label, e.g. patient information, date, time Illegible specimen – label or barcode doesn’t read Missing requisition – missing requisition or orders on specimen Misplaced specimen – lost or misplaced specimen Improper testing on specimen – wrong tests, incorrect temperature and conditions
Other	Federal	Government	Improper specimen collection/handling – insufficient quantity collected, improper storage, contamination of specimen Unlabeled specimen – missing label on specimen Mislabeled specimen – incorrect name, contents, information, or specimen source Incomplete specimen label – missing information on label, e.g. patient information, date, time Illegible specimen – label or barcode doesn’t read Requisition/specimen mismatched – name on specimen doesn’t match requisition Missing requisition – missing requisition or orders on specimen Misplaced specimen – lost or misplaced specimen
Laboratory Director	Small Business	Healthcare	Improper specimen collection/handling – insufficient quantity collected, improper storage, contamination of specimen Unlabeled specimen – missing label on specimen Mislabeled specimen – incorrect name, contents, information, or specimen source Incomplete specimen label – missing information on label, e.g. patient information, date, time Requisition/specimen mismatched – name on specimen doesn’t match requisition Misplaced specimen – lost or misplaced specimen
Laboratory Director	Fortune 500	Healthcare	Improper specimen collection/handling – insufficient quantity collected, improper storage, contamination of specimen Unlabeled specimen – missing label on specimen Mislabeled specimen – incorrect name, contents, information, or specimen source Incomplete specimen label – missing information on label, e.g. patient information, date, time Illegible specimen – label or barcode doesn’t read Requisition/specimen mismatched – name on specimen doesn’t match requisition
Laboratory Specialist	Fortune 500	Healthcare	Improper specimen collection/handling – insufficient quantity collected, improper storage, contamination of specimen Incomplete specimen label – missing information on label, e.g. patient information, date, time Requisition/specimen mismatched – name on specimen doesn’t match requisition
Laboratory Specialist	Non-profit	Non-profit	Improper specimen collection/handling – insufficient quantity collected, improper storage, contamination of specimen Unlabeled specimen – missing label on specimen Mislabeled specimen – incorrect name, contents, information, or specimen source Requisition/specimen mismatched – name on specimen doesn’t match requisition Missing requisition – missing requisition or orders on specimen Misplaced specimen – lost or misplaced specimen
Laboratory Supervisor	Non-profit	Non-profit	Improper specimen collection/handling – insufficient quantity collected, improper storage, contamination of specimen Unlabeled specimen – missing label on specimen Mislabeled specimen – incorrect name, contents, information, or specimen source Incomplete specimen label – missing information on label, e.g. patient information, date, time Illegible specimen – label or barcode doesn’t read Requisition/specimen mismatched – name on specimen doesn’t match requisition Missing requisition – missing requisition or orders on specimen Misplaced specimen – lost or misplaced specimen Improper testing on specimen – wrong tests, incorrect temperature and conditions
Laboratory Director	Medium Enterprise	Healthcare	Improper specimen collection/handling – insufficient quantity collected, improper storage, contamination of specimen Unlabeled specimen – missing label on specimen Mislabeled specimen – incorrect name, contents, information, or specimen source Incomplete specimen label – missing information on label, e.g. patient information, date, time
Laboratory Manager	Medium Enterprise	Healthcare	Improper specimen collection/handling – insufficient quantity collected, improper storage, contamination of specimen Unlabeled specimen – missing label on specimen Mislabeled specimen – incorrect name, contents, information, or specimen source Incomplete specimen label – missing information on label, e.g. patient information, date, time

Improper specimen collection/handling – insufficient quantity collected, improper storage, contamination of specimen	91%
Mislabeled specimen – incorrect name, contents, information, or specimen source	74%
Unlabeled specimen – missing label on specimen	68%
Incomplete specimen label – missing information on label, e.g. patient information, date, time	55%
Illegible specimen – label or barcode doesn’t read	51%
Requisition/specimen mismatched – name on specimen doesn’t match requisition	50%
Misplaced specimen – lost or misplaced specimen	46%
Missing requisition – missing requisition or orders on specimen	37%
Improper testing on specimen – wrong tests, incorrect temperature and conditions	35%

TechValidate Research on Laboratory Labels

Most Common Lab Specimen Errors for Laboratory Managers

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