Which of the following means of receiving an order for specimen collection is considered to be the most accurate method?

Choice A Reason:
Shaking the tubes vigorously can cause hemolysis, which is the rupture of red blood cells, leading to inaccurate test results. It is not recommended as it does not provide gentle mixing and can damage the blood cells.

Choice B Reason:
Moving the tubes in a figure-eight motion is not a standard practice for mixing blood samples. This method may not provide the consistent and gentle inversion needed to mix the anticoagulant with the blood effectively.

Choice C Reason:
Rolling the tubes between the palms of the hands 4 to 8 times after collection is the recommended method. This technique allows for gentle and thorough mixing of the blood with the anticoagulant, preventing clotting without causing hemolysis. The number of inversions ensures that the anticoagulant coats the inner surface of the tube and mixes with the blood, which is essential for accurate laboratory results.

Choice D Reason:
Passing the tubes from hand to hand is not an effective method for mixing blood samples. This action may not provide the necessary inversion and can lead to inadequate mixing, resulting in clotted specimens.

Choice A reason:
Leaving a patient's record on a countertop while assisting other patients is not an acceptable HIPAA practice. Patient records contain sensitive information and should be kept secure at all times to maintain confidentiality. Leaving them in a place where unauthorized individuals could potentially access them violates HIPAA regulations.

Choice B reason:
Discarding patient contact information in the trash is a violation of HIPAA rules. Any documents containing patient information must be disposed of through secure methods, such as shredding, to ensure that the information cannot be retrieved or used improperly.

Choice C reason:
Sharing passwords with anyone, including coworkers, is against HIPAA guidelines and general security best practices. Each staff member should have a unique login credential to ensure that access can be tracked and that each person is accountable for their actions within the system.

Choice D reason:
Discussing patient information with an assisting coworker is acceptable under HIPAA, provided that the coworker has a legitimate need to know the information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations purposes. This type of sharing is necessary for collaborative care and is permitted as long as it is done in a manner that protects the patient's privacy.