(spes'ĭ-mĕn )

[L. specimen, a mark, token]

A part of something, intended to show the kind, quality, and other characteristics of the whole. Collected urine, feces, cerebrospinal fluid, sputum, blood, skin, or tissues are all considered to be specimens.

Persons hand ling specimens of blood, body fluids, or other excretions should wear protective gloves to limit exposure to infectious agents, such as the hepatitis viruses.

The following information is important in obtaining, containing, and hand ling biological and forensic samples.

Sterilization of glassware: This is accomplished by the use of hot air or dry heat, boiling water, flowing steam, steam under pressure, certain gases, and germicidal chemicals.

Labels: All containers should be labeled with the names of the patient and attending physician and the room number. Labels should be placed on the container, not on the lid. Request forms, sometimes used as labels, are made up to suit the individual laboratory or hospital. Provision is made for recording necessary data as indicated, including the date the specimen was taken, the circumstances, the substances for which the examination is being performed, and any other information desired.

SEE: chain of custody.

Time: If the required specimen cannot be furnished at once, one should note what is needed and inform the patient, supervisor, and any other caregiver who may attend the patient in one's absence.

Charting: The chart should record all specimens sent to the laboratory, when they were sent, and any other data that seem pertinent such as the appearance of the specimen or unusual occurrences while it was being obtained.

Care of specimen: The specimen should be covered immediately after it is deposited in the container. The label or request form should be checked. One should make sure that the container is intact and in no danger of spilling while in transit. Some types of specimens, e.g., blood, urine, tissues, need special care with respect to the temperature to be maintained while they are stored or transported and the time allowed before being analyzed.

SEE: sample.