Before any discussion is
made of
specimen collection devices it would be good to understand
what is specimen collection.
Most of the times specimen collection is used in the context of diagnostic
or clinical laboratories. So it may refer to the process or technique of
taking, tissue, fluids, blood, stool, bone marrow, urine, biopsy material or
any other specimen in an appropriate container like specimen collection
tubes, for immediate research or storing them frozen for future research.
Specimens can be collected by two ways either straight from the subject like
blood collection or from a large piece of tissue for example as removed
during the process of surgical resection.
These days a variety of specimen collection equipment can be found that has
been designed with the comfort of the patient in mind. The importance of
specimen collection equipment can be gauged from the fact that it plays a
vital role on the quality of the laboratory results. A successful specimen
collection programme depends upon the following things.
- Collection at the appropriate time
- Applying the correct technique
- Using the correct equipment
- Safe transportation to the lab without any delay
