What should be done if a specimen is rejected for a reason such as mislabeling?

• A. Discard and resample without notifying anyone
• B. Recollect without changing labeling
• C. Document rejection and notify the requester only
• D. Document rejection, recollect with correct labeling, and notify the requester

Answer: (D)

When a specimen is rejected because of mislabeling, the right move is to document the rejection, recollect the specimen with correct labeling, and notify the requester. This sequence preserves patient safety and the integrity of the test results. Documenting the rejection creates an audit trail so everyone knows what happened and why the sample was not used. Recollecting with proper labeling ensures the specimen can be accurately matched to the patient and the correct tests can be performed. Notifying the requester keeps the clinical team informed so they can anticipate the need for new orders or adjustments and avoid delays in care.

Discarding the specimen and resampling without any notification ignores traceability and communication, which can lead to patient safety risks and unnecessary delays. Recollecting without changing labeling would repeat the same error and fail to correct the root issue. Documenting the rejection and notifying the requester without recollecting does not provide a usable sample for testing, leaving the problem unresolved. The complete, correct approach is to document the rejection, recollect with proper labeling, and notify the requester.