What is a common reason for specimen rejection by a lab?

Improperly labeled samples are a common reason for specimen rejection by a lab because accurate labeling is crucial for the identification, tracking, and analysis of specimens. Labels must include specific information such as the patient’s name, date of birth, date and time of collection, and the type of specimen collected. If any of this information is missing or incorrect, it can lead to confusion, misidentification, or wrongful interpretation of test results. The laboratory relies on this information to ensure that the results correspond to the correct patient and that the samples are processed appropriately.

While the other options present valid concerns that could potentially lead to rejection, they are situations that may not occur as frequently. For instance, lack of required paperwork and sample storage issues can also result in rejection, but those are more dependent on specific protocols that might be adhered to more consistently. Similarly, the timing of sample collection can influence results for certain tests but might not be as commonly encountered as labeling errors. Thus, labeling issues are one of the most straightforward and frequent reasons labs reject specimens.