Minimizing Pre-Examination Variability During Venipuncture, Urine Sample Collection, and Sample Processing (Online CE Course)

(based on 2,012 customer ratings)

Jack A. Maggiore, PhD, MLS(ASCP)
Reviewer: Carol Becker, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM and Judi Bennett, BSM, MLS(AMT), MLT(ASCP)

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Clinicians make patient care decisions based on the results of laboratory testing. Pre-analytical errors can have a significant negative impact that prevents the delivery of quality patient care. These negative outcomes can range from unnecessary redraws and delayed results, to improper treatment, misdiagnosis, and even death. This course is intended to emphasize the pre-analytical variables that must be controlled during venipuncture and urine collection procedures in order to ensure the quality reporting of laboratory test results.

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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours (acceptable for AMT, ASCP, and state recertification): 1.5 hour(s)
Approved through 11/30/2025
Approved through 11/30/2025

Objectives

  • Categorize the phases of clinical laboratory testing as pre-examination, examination, and post-examination.
  • Identify several of the pre-examination variables associated with patient preparation.
  • Explain the phlebotomist’s role in minimizing pre-examination variability associated with venipuncture and urine sample collection.
  • Specify the most frequently encountered sources of hemolysis.
  • Recognize potential sources of pre-examination variability associated with sample handling and transportation.
  • Determine the common pre-examination causes of unanticipated laboratory results.

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(based on 2,012 customer ratings)

Course Outline

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Additional Information

Level of instruction: Basic
Intended Audience: This course is intended for phlebotomists, phlebotomy supervisors, patient care coordinators, medical laboratory technicians, medical laboratory scientists, laboratory supervisors, managers and directors. This course is also appropriate for medical laboratory science students and pathology residents.
Author Information: Jack A. Maggiore, PhD, MLS(ASCP) serves as the Assistant Laboratory Director of Chemistry and is Head of Research and Development at Doctor's Data, Inc. in Saint Charles, Illinois. Dr. Maggiore is a medical technologist, certified by the ASCP, with a Master of Science in Clinical Chemistry and Doctorate in Pathology from the University of Illinois. His expertise includes clinical instrumentation, method development and validation, quality assurance, medical device clinical trials, and scientific regulatory affairs. His clinical research interests include the development of novel biomarkers for chronic diseases using blood spots and other non-conventional samples. Dr. Maggiore holds several medical device patents, has authored more than fifty peer-reviewed and invited publications and textbook chapters, and has presented his research findings at international scientific society meetings. Dr. Maggiore's mission is to work with healthcare professionals to empower consumers to take a more active role in their health maintenance.
The author has no conflict of interest to disclose. 
Reviewer information: Carol Becker, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM is a retired Program Director for the Clinical Laboratory Science program and Histology program at OSF St. Francis Medical Center located in Peoria, Illinois. Carol received her Master's degree at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois and her Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Illinois. 
Judi Bennett, BSM, MLS(AMT), MLT(ASCP), is an Education Developer with MediaLab by Vastian, bringing over 30 years of experience as a medical laboratory scientist. Before joining MediaLab in 2010, she held key leadership roles, including Clinical Laboratory Manager, Microbiology Supervisor, and Senior Systems Analyst at Gwinnett Health System in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Her extensive knowledge of laboratory operations, combined with a strong commitment to healthcare quality and education, fuels her passion for developing engaging and effective learning tools for the next generation of laboratorians

How to Subscribe
MLS & MLT Comprehensive CE Package
Includes 223 CE courses, most popular
$109Add to cart
Pick Your Courses
Up to 8 CE hours
$55Add to cart
Phlebotomy CE Package$59Add to cart
Individual course$25Add to cart
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Figure 4. Alcohol preps


Figure 13. Bruise from venipuncture


Figure 21. A) Hemolysis;  B) Lipemia; C) Icterus


timer for urinalysis sml


tincture iodine from shutterstock purchased 3-2-15 LC