Requisition Completion, Specimen Labeling and Phlebotomy Guidelines


All laboratory testing requires the creation and completion of a visit for the date of the sample collection. If laboratory testing is to be completed on the day of the visit, the submitting department is responsible for creating a visit for the checking-in the patient prior to the collection of the laboratory sample. If a sample for laboratory testing is received after a patient visit and sent to the laboratory for testing, the submitting department is responsible for creating a visit for the date that the sample was collected.
  1. All requisitions (both Epic generated and non-electronic) require the date and time of collection and the collector's initials be recorded. Microbiology also requires the collector's title and the collection site of the blood draw.

    Please refer to the tables below for complete forms listing of manual requisitions which might be used during an Epic down time or absence of computer generated EPIC order.

  2. Determine correct tube type and blood volume for tests ordered (e.g. anti-coagulant, additive, phlebotomy tubes and order of draw). The correct sequence to draw blood specimens or to transfer from a syringe is:

    >>>Blood cultures, light blue top, red top, light green (PST) green top, lavender top and/or pink, gray top, and yellow top.

  3. NOTE:
    1. If a light blue top tube is drawn with a holder and butterfly needle, prime the tubing with a discard tube before filling the sodium citrate tube (light blue topped).
    2. Specimens for Blood Bank require a specific patient identification and collection process. Refer to "Blood Center Services" additional information.

  4. Identify the patient using two identifiers.

  5. After drawing, but before leaving the patient, label the tube(s) with two patient identifiers (PID) labels. Transport to the appropriate laboratory. Consult the Epic requisition or the Pathology Laboratory Services Handbook for appropriate transportation requirements, e.g., "on ice".

  6. Intravenous Fluids: If possible, draw blood from the arm/hand that does NOT have intravenous fluid being administered. Tests results may be altered by dilution and/or content of the intravenous fluid, resulting in misleading laboratory values.

  7. STORES# TUBE, BLOOD COLLECTION SIZE BD#
    TUBE TOP COLOR
    Contact Specimen Control ARU & PRU TUBES 2 ML Greiner 454322 LIGHT BLUE
    TRACE ELEMENT FREE SERUM 6.0 ML 368380 ROYAL BLUE
    TRACE ELEMENT FREE PLASMA (EDTA) 6.0 ML 368381 ROYAL BLUE
    SERUM SEPARATOR TUBE 5.0 ML 367986 GOLD
    922749 ACD SOLUTION A 8.5 ML 364606
    YELLOW
    163591 ACD SOLUTION B 8.5 ML 364816
    YELLOW
    907693 NA HEPARIN 10 ML  
    GREEN
    924085 NA HEPARIN 4 ML 367871
    GREEN
    907695 LITHIUM HEPARIN (PST) 4.5 ML 367963 LIGHT GREEN
    923258 LITHIUM HEPARIN (PST) 0.6 ML 365958
    LIGHT GREEN
    907692 K2 EDTA 6 ML 367899
    PINK
    907688 K2 EDTA 3 ML 367856
    LAVENDER
    924265 K2 EDTA 0.6 ML Sarstedt 15.1671
    LAVENDER
    109201 K2 EDTA MAP TUBE 0.5 ML 363706 PINK
    907690 SODIUM CITRATE 2.7 ML 363083
    LIGHT BLUE
    907689 SODIUM CITRATE 1.8 ML 363080
    LIGHT BLUE
    907752 CLOT ACTIVATOR 5 ML 367814
    RED
    922705 CLOT ACTIVATOR 0.6 ML 365963 RED
    907694 NA FLUORIDE 6 ML 367925
    GRAY
    75971 URINE CHEMISTRY TUBE 6 ML 366408 CLEAR (RED STOPPER)
    922857       24-HOUR URINE CONTAINER
    924373       DELI STOOL CONTAINER


    The following forms are only used if Epic is unavailable or in select areas where Epic is not live.

    Form/Requisition Name Processed Stores Order #
    Form A-1a  Blood Center Request 922339
    Form 0-9  Bone Marrow Examination Request 922993
    Form A-1a  Clinical Microbiology Doctor's Order Form 923618
    Form A-1a  Critical Care/Special Care Nurseries Laboratory 923779
    Form H-2  Cytology Consult Report 922380
    Form A-1a TDA  Doctor's Order Therapeutic Drug Assay Not Available through
    Processed Stores
    Form A-1a  Immunopathology Laboratory 922943
    Form A-1a  Miscellaneous Request 922348
    Form A-1a Lab  Pathology Doctor's Order-Lab Test 923533
    Form A-1a Lab  Pathology Doctor's Order-Inpatient Service
    923766
    Form A-1a  Molecular Pathology/Diagnostics Laboratory Not Available through
    Processed Stores
    Form H-1  Surgical Pathology Consultation Request 922379

  8. For areas not live on Epic Orders and during Epic down-time: Complete requisition for appropriate laboratory: