What Will Delay Test Results

Common Specimen Collection Errors

• Incorrectly collected or prepared specimens (see kit for proper instructions)
• Incorrect specimen submitted for test requested
• Urine that is too dilute for accurate measurement (creatinine too low)
• Overfilling tubes with specimen that requires freezing
• Overfilling, underfilling, and pouring preservative liquid out of stool transport tubes
• Failure to use the correct container for specimen collection
• Failure to label a specimen correctly and provide all pertinent information
• Failure to tighten specimen container lids, resulting in leakage and/or contamination of specimen
• Specimen Quantity Not Sufficient (QNS) for test requested
• Specimens with a volume lower than the stated minimum volume for a particular test cannot be processed. To ensure sufficient quantity, see kit instructions for specific requirements.
• Failure to provide all specimens required for a test.

Common Test Requisition Form Errors

• No Test Requisition Form (TRF) included with specimen
• No test selected on the Test Requisition Form (even if only one test is listed, it must be selected)
• Incorrect, missing or illegible patient information
• Failure to record total volume on the Test Requisition Form for all 24-hour urine collections
• No date of collection recorded (lab must have this information to verify sample stability before testing)
• Missing ICD-9 diagnostic codes in Section 6 (should be comleted by the ordering clinician); A sample list of commonly used codes can be found at www.metametrix.com/icd9.
• Failure to provide provocation information on any urine mineral test (even if not administered)

Common Reasons for a Rejected Specimen

• No Test Requisition Form (TRF) included with specimen
• No test selected on the TRF (even if only one test is listed, it must be selected)
• Improperly stored specimen
• Improperly shipped specimen
• Incorrect specimen submitted for test requested
• Specimen deemed Quantity Not Sufficient (QNS)
• Failure to record total specimen volume on TRF
• Urine that is too dilute for accurate measurement (creatinine level is too low)

Common Shipping Error

• Do not ship specimens on Saturday or Sunday. Please see shipping instructions for specific requirements.

Common Payment Errors

• Make sure to indicate a payment method in section #2 of the Test Requisition Form.
• Include a check or a valid credit card number (if applicable).
• No payment or billing information will result in delaying the release of test results.