Table 2.

The preanalytical variables associated with blood specimen collection

Patient variables	Variables in technique	Transportation variables	Specimen variables
Age Sex Special needs Diet Smoking Drugs/alcohol Exercise Stress Diurnal/circadian variations Altitude Dehydration	Patient identification Tourniquet application Site selection Decontamination Equipment/supplies	Delivery (by hand, pneumatic tube) Temperature/light Timing	Identification and labeling Equipment/supplies Anticoagulants Specimen processing (centrifugation) Storage prior to testing

Notes: Adapted from Garza, Diana; Becan-McBride, Kathleen, Phlebotomy Handbook, 9th, © 2015. Adapted by permission of Pearson Education, Inc., New York, New York.²³ Data from McCall and Tankersley.²⁴