Specimen Acceptance Criteria (reference Card) template
A form in the Pre-examination and Sample Handling procedure (PR20), mapped to ISO 15189:2022 clause 7.2. Fill it in whenever the task occurs. Used by the laboratory team.
FormISO 15189 · 7.2As needed
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Your LaboratorySpecimen Acceptance Criteria (reference Card) | YL-LAB-FRM-20-F01 v1.0
Form: Specimen Acceptance Criteria (reference Card)
This form defines acceptance criteria for specimens. Refer to Laboratory Handbook (PD03) for collection requirements.
| No. | Specimen Type | Container / Tube | Minimum Volume | Max Transport Time (Hours) | Transport Temp | Rejection Criteria | Accept with Exception? (Y/N) | Special Handling | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EDTA Blood (FBC) | Purple top | ≥ 2 mL | 4 hrs | RT (18-25°C) | Clotted, haemolysed, insufficient | Y | Mix gently x8 | |
| 2 | Plain Blood (Chemistry) | Red/yellow top | ≥ 3 mL | 4 hrs | RT | Haemolysed, lipaemic, wrong tube | Y | Allow to clot, centrifuge | |
| 3 | Citrate Blood (Coag) | Blue top | Full 2.7 mL | 4 hrs | RT | Underfilled (<90%), haemolysed | N | 9:1 ratio | |
| 4 | Urine (Routine) | Universal | ≥ 5 mL | 2 hrs | RT | Old (>2 hrs unrefrigerated) | Y | MSU preferred | |
| 5 | Urine (Culture) | Sterile container | ≥ 10 mL | 2 hrs | 2-8°C | Contaminated, old | N | MSU, sterile technique | |
| 6 | CSF | Sterile tubes | ≥ 1 mL | Immediate | 37°C or RT | Delay >1 hr (cell count) | N | Urgent, notify lab | |
| 7 | Blood Culture Bottle | Culture bottles | Per manufacturer | Immediate | 37°C | Pre-treated, contaminated | N | Aseptic technique | |
| 8 | Throat/Nasal Swab | Transport medium | N/A | 24 hrs | RT / 2-8°C | Dry swab, no medium | Y | Transport medium required | |
| 9 | CD4 Blood | EDTA tube | ≥ 3 mL | 24 hrs | RT (18-25°C) | Clotted, temp excursion | Y | Room temp only | |
| 10 | VL (HIV RNA) | EDTA tube | ≥ 3 mL | Per SOP | 2-8°C (<6 hrs) / -20°C | Haemolysed, clotted | N | Centrifuge, aliquot plasma |
… 3 more rows continue on the next page
Sign-off
| Role | Name | Signature | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Completed by | |||
| Reviewed by |
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What it records
- Specimen Type
- Container / Tube
- Minimum Volume
- Max Transport Time (Hours)
- Transport Temp
- Rejection Criteria
- Accept with Exception? (Y/N)
- Special Handling
- Comments
Instructions on the form
- This form defines acceptance criteria for specimens. Refer to Laboratory Handbook (PD03) for collection requirements.
Sign-off
- Completed by
- Reviewed by
Related templates
- Sample Rejection Log (PR20-F02)
- Oral Request Form (PR20-F03)
- Sample Acceptance Exceptions Log (PR20-F04)
- Sample Retention Schedule (PR20-F05)
- Sample Requirements, Transport Systems and Method Review Form (PR20-F06)
- Guide: ISO 15189 documentation checklist
Clause references are to ISO 15189:2022; check them against your licensed copy of the standard.