Specimen Rejection
The formal refusal by a laboratory to process a submitted specimen due to identified pre-analytical deficiencies that would compromise result integrity.
Full Definition
Specimen rejection is a quality-control decision made when an incoming sample fails to meet defined acceptance criteria for analysis. Common grounds for rejection include mislabelling or unlabeled specimens, clotted samples in anticoagulant tubes, haemolysis, lipaemia, insufficient volume (quantity not sufficient, QNS), wrong collection tube, or specimens collected beyond the allowable transport time. Rejection must be documented in the laboratory information system (LIS) with the reason specified, and the requesting clinician must be notified. Editors should note that 'specimen rejection' is distinct from 'specimen recollection request' and that rejection criteria should be explicitly stated in SOPs.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate as a compound modifier: 'specimen-rejection criteria.' Document the specific rejection reason code in the LIS entry. Distinguish from 'recollection,' which is the subsequent remediation step.
In Context
- "The LIS generated an automatic specimen rejection notice, citing inadequate volume (QNS) for the requested coagulation panel." — Laboratory information system report
- "Monthly specimen rejection rates are tracked as a key quality indicator in the laboratory's performance dashboard." — Laboratory quality management report