Back to basics: specimen management

Abstract

Specific actions for handling various types of specimens may differ; however, the management process is essentially the same. Accurate specimen management requires effective multidisciplinary communication, minimal distractions, and awareness of the opportunities for error. When advocating for patients and working with members of the health care team to provide a safe perioperative environment, perioperative nurses should adhere to best practices for specimen management and strive to prevent specimen-related errors that may lead to inaccurate or incomplete diagnoses, the need for additional procedures, and perhaps most importantly, physical and psychological injury to patients.

Keywords: distractions; error; multidisciplinary communication; specimen handling; specimen management.