Under what circumstances would a specimen warrant a recollection?

A specimen would warrant a recollection when it is unlabelled or grossly hemolyzed because these conditions severely compromise the integrity and reliability of the test results. An unlabelled specimen presents a significant risk of misidentification, which can lead to incorrect patient management decisions. In the absence of proper labeling, it becomes impossible to ensure that the results are associated with the correct patient.

Similarly, gross hemolysis indicates that red blood cells have ruptured, which can interfere with many laboratory tests, particularly those that measure hemoglobin or other cellular components. Results from hemolyzed specimens can be erroneous, potentially leading to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment. Because of these factors, recollecting the specimen is essential to obtain accurate and reliable laboratory results. This ensures patient safety and the provision of appropriate care based on accurate data.

In contrast, specimens that yield normal results or are collected properly—even if they are clotted—do not necessarily require recollection, as long as they still can generate meaningful and valid test results.