Interesting!
Well, in my hospital if I get a GI Biopsy without labels, just because it's a biopsy I will do the following:
1. Check the expected list for a similar expected specimen.
2. Call the RN or Provider on that patient
3. Get the RN or someone from the care team to come with patient identifier to the lab and properly label the specimen.
4. Biopsies are not just rejected but if it was a blood specimen, I will call the nurse for a redraw with proper labels.
Original Message:
Sent: 11/6/2025 8:41:00 AM
From: Deidra Bruton
Subject: RE: Preanalytical errors
In my first hospital system, if within the hospital, the specimen was refused at attempted drop-off. Staff returned to the clinical team for proper labeling & identification before again attempting delivery to the lab.
If outside delivery to the reference location, an affidavit stating what was received, when, & by whom, was sent to the collecting team/facility. As much detail as possible was provided (assumed source, measurements, container description, etc). The clinical team/facility provided proper patient & specimen identification with an attestation by the RN or Dr as to identity of specimen source (patient & site). This had to be completed before processing began.
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Deidra Bruton Technologist/Scientist, non-supervisor (CT,MLS,MT)
Sumter SC
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-04-2025 18:30
From: Michael Mazzotta
Subject: Preanalytical errors
Good afternoon
Yes, I know of the information from the CAP, but I was asking how do you handle issues at your facility.
Example:
You receive a four-part GI biopsy case (esophagus, stomach, small bowel, and large bowel) with all four bottles completely blank. There is no name or any other information. What do you do at your facility?
Best
Dr. Mazzotta
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Michael Mazzotta Administrative Laboratory Director/Manager
Brunswick GA
Original Message:
Sent: 11-01-2025 08:24
From: Bodhraj Acharya
Subject: Preanalytical errors
Please refer to this CAP publication for sugical Pathology
https://cap.objects.frb.io/documents/practical-guide-specimen-handling.pdf
- Accessioning errors: patient/specimen ID mismatches; requisition–container discrepancies; wrong site/laterality; block/slide mislabeling; LIS/order mistakes; sub-optimal specimens (leaking, wrong fixative, underfilled).
- Facility-origin errors: point-of-care labeling/collection mistakes; transport/chain-of-custody gaps; fixation issues (cold ischemia, wrong/insufficient formalin); missing clinical details or fragment counts.
- Corrections/prevention: "stop-the-line" acceptance policy; two-identifier verification + barcoding from container → cassette → slide; clarify site/laterality at grossin
- Thresholds/KPIs: zero tolerance for wrong patient/specimen; aim ≤1 labeling error per 1,000; track surgical specimen ID errors; target ≥90–95% compliance with fixation windows for breast biomarkers.
Disclaimer - AI was used to make this idea presentable.
Bodhraj Acharya, PhD, HCLD(ABB), MLS(ASCP), FADLM
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Bodhraj Acharya Department Director (technical)
Chittenango NY
(315)415-1598
Original Message:
Sent: 10-31-2025 18:26
From: Michael Mazzotta
Subject: Preanalytical errors
Good evening all
After a bit of a lull due to my insane schedule, I am trying to finish my book (The Costs and Causes of Preanalytical Errors in an Anatomical Pathology Laboratory).
With that brief intro, I have a question that I would like all the information you can share:
What kinds of accessioning errors do you encounter?
What kinds of facility errors do you encounter?
How do you correct the errors?
Do you have a threshold for the number of errors?
Any additional information you can share?
Thanks
Dr. Michael Mazzotta
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Michael Mazzotta Administrative Laboratory Director/Manager
Brunswick GA
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