inadequate specimen volume
Insufficient blood sample quantity preventing accurate newborn screening analysis.
Full Definition
A quality control issue where the collected blood sample does not provide enough material for reliable laboratory testing. This typically occurs when filter paper circles are incompletely filled, blood spots are too small, or collection technique is suboptimal. Inadequate volume can lead to false negative results or inability to perform necessary testing. Most screening programs have specific criteria for minimum acceptable spot size and saturation. When inadequate volume is detected, programs typically request specimen recollection to ensure accurate screening.
Usage
Usage note: Use 'inadequate' rather than 'insufficient' for consistency with laboratory terminology.
In Context
- "The laboratory rejected the specimen due to inadequate specimen volume on three of five filter paper circles." — Quality control report
- "Training modules emphasized proper heel warming to prevent inadequate specimen volume collection." — Education materials