What type of specimens CANNOT be tubed to the laboratory?
Generally, specimens that are considered one of a kind, and difficult to replace, should not be tubed. ASPIRIN and PLAVIX cannot be tubed to the laboratory. I sent two different patient samples, with the same routine tests ordered, to the Chemistry lab, at the same time. Why do I have results from one patient up to two hours sooner than I have results from the other patient? The Chemistry lab has a turn around time (time specimen is received in lab until results are reported out) of 95% of routine specimens reported out in < 2 hours. Two routine specimens may actually be received by the lab at different times. One of the specimens may continue to clot thereby delaying results. The specimen might have abnormal test results that require additional testing so it is conceivable that two specimens drawn at the same time may not be reported at the same time.
