What to Do if Your Lab Kit is Damaged or Incomplete
If your specialty lab kit arrives with broken tubes, missing components, or expired materials, the collection should usually be delayed until a replacement is obtained. Using a compromised kit can lead to specimen rejection or inaccurate results, so inspecting the contents is a vital first step.
Inspecting Your Kit Before the Appointment
When your specialty lab kit arrives in the mail, your first step should be to open it and verify the contents against the instruction sheet provided by the lab. A typical kit should include several color-coded collection tubes, a biohazard bag, absorbent material, a requisition form, and shipping supplies. If anything looks crushed, leaked, or missing, it is essential to identify the problem before the phlebotomist arrives.
Checking the expiration dates on the tubes is also vital. Laboratory tubes contain a vacuum and chemical additives that have a finite shelf life. If a tube is past its expiration date, it may not draw the correct volume, or the additive may no longer be effective, both of which will trigger a rejection. If you find expired components, contact the lab or your ordering provider immediately for a replacement.
What to Do if Tubes are Broken or Missing
If a tube is physically broken, do not attempt to use it, even if the crack appears minor. The integrity of the vacuum is essential for a proper draw, and a compromised tube is a safety hazard. If a kit is missing a specific tube color required for your panel, the laboratory will not be able to run the full test, and you will likely be asked to repeat the draw later.
Most specialty labs are very responsive to requests for replacement components. Call the customer service number on the kit box or instruction manual; they can often overnight new supplies to you. Do not try to substitute tubes from a different lab, as the additives and volumes must be an exact match for the lab’s proprietary testing methods.
Handling Expired Kit Components
It is common for patients to have a kit sitting for several months before they are ready to complete the test. During that time, the tubes may expire. Each tube has a small expiration date printed on the label, and once that date has passed, the tube is clinically unsuitable for use. The vacuum in the tube naturally dissipates over time, which can lead to insufficient fill volumes and inaccurate results.
Anticoagulants inside the tubes can also degrade, allowing the blood to clot when it should remain liquid. Always check these dates a few days before your draw. While a mobile phlebotomist can provide standard substitutes for common items like alcohol pads or gauze, the specialized collection tubes themselves must be the ones provided by the laboratory.
Missing or Incorrect Paperwork
The requisition form is the "brain" of the lab kit. It tells the lab who you are, who ordered the test, which markers to analyze, and how the bill will be paid. If this form is missing, or if it was filled out for a different patient, the lab cannot process your sample. A blank requisition is also a problem; it must be signed by a licensed provider to be legally valid.
If you realize the paperwork is missing or incorrect, contact your doctor’s office immediately. They can often fax or email a digital copy of the requisition directly to you or the mobile phlebotomy service. The technician can then print it and include it with the kit. Without a valid requisition, the specimen is essentially "anonymous" and will be discarded by the laboratory for safety and legal reasons.
How Speedy Handles Kit Discrepancies
Our technicians perform a "pre-flight" check of every kit before starting the draw. We verify that all tubes are present, within their expiration dates, and that the requisition is complete. If we find a discrepancy, we will discuss it with you immediately. In some cases, we may be able to proceed with a partial draw if the missing test is not the primary focus, but usually, it is best to wait for a complete kit.
Because we have been serving the South Florida community since 2015, we have seen almost every possible kit error. We can often help you identify exactly what is missing and provide the correct terminology to use when you call the lab for a replacement. Our goal is to ensure that when we do the draw, it is done right the first time, sparing you from unnecessary redraws.
Common follow-up questions
Can I use a tube from a different kit if one is broken?
No, each lab uses specific tubes and additives; using a substitute can cause the lab to reject your sample.
What if the requisition form is slightly torn?
As long as all the information and barcodes are readable, it is usually okay, but a clean copy is always preferred.
Will the phlebotomist still come if my kit is incomplete?
If you know the kit is missing vital tubes, it is best to reschedule your appointment to avoid an unnecessary visit fee.
How do I know if a tube has lost its vacuum?
You usually cannot tell until the draw begins; if the blood does not flow into the tube as expected, it is often a sign of a lost vacuum.
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This article is general information, not medical advice. Follow the instructions of your ordering healthcare provider.
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