Tech in Surgery Prep / Unit 24 TSC 590 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Labeling and Passing Off Specimens
The idea
Specimen labelling is one of the most error-prone steps in surgery, so it follows a fixed, careful routine.
In practice
Follow the routine in order. First, the container is labelled before or at the moment the specimen goes into it, never afterward from memory. Second, the label includes the patient's name and a description of the specimen, including its site and side where relevant. Third, any orienting marks the surgeon places, such as stitches marking edges, are noted. Fourth, the scrub person passes the labelled specimen to the circulating nurse, saying what it is. Fifth, at the end of the case, the circulating nurse reads each label aloud for the team to confirm.
Where people slip
Incorrect labelling of specimens is a frequent source of laboratory error and can be disastrous for the patient. When there is more than one specimen, the risk of a mix-up multiplies, so each is labelled and passed one at a time.
Your place on the trail
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