10 COMMON MISTAKES PATIENTS MAKE THAT CAN AFFECT THEIR LAB TEST RESULTS

Introduction

When it comes to lab tests, accuracy is everything. These tests are indispensable in diagnosing illnesses, monitoring health, and guiding treatments.

But we understand that even small mistakes—on the part of the patient or in the lab – can affect the results, right? Whether it’s preparing for the test incorrectly or misunderstanding the results, errors can happen.

In this article, we’ll highlight patients’ most common lab test mistakes and, more importantly, how to avoid them to get accurate results.

Let’s get started!

Not Fasting When Required

Many lab tests require fasting (not eating or drinking anything except water for 8–12 hours before the test). But what happens if the patient sneaks in that morning coffee or a quick snack? It will definitely affect the results, particularly for tests like blood glucose or lipid panels.

How to Avoid It:
Before, collecting the blood sample, ask again if the patient observed overnight fasting. Do not assume that they already know the rules.

They might accidently eat or drink, if that is the case then you can reschedule or note it in your records.

Incorrect Timing of the Test

Timing can be crucial for some tests. For instance, semen analysis that requires the sperm cells to remain as viable as they were in the body. This means that the sample should be collected in the facility or transported within short minutes.

You can imagine what will happen if the patient delays in bringing the sample to the lab, or if he gives a wrong time of sample collection; as well, any delay by the lab in analysing the semen will adversely affect the result.

How to Avoid It:
Always make sure the patient understands the reason why timing is important. It is not enough to just tell them to keep time or watch time.

Also ensure to ask them again, to verifiy if they followed the instruction. If for some reasons, the expected time for the test was exceeded, make a note of it, and reschedule when necessary. your appointment accordingly.it shask your healthcare provider if your lab test requires a specific time of day. Make a note of it, and schedule your appointment accordingly.

Poor Hydration

Being dehydrated can make it harder to draw blood and not only that, it may even affect certain lab values, like kidney function markers. A patient should be informed to keep hydrated, unless they have been instructed to fast.

How to Avoid It:
Advise the patient to ensure they drink plenty of water before coming for their test. Staying hydrated makes the blood draw smoother and helps ensure accurate results.

Illustration:
Imagine your veins as a garden hose. When you’re well-hydrated, the hose is full and water flows easily (making it easier to draw blood). But when you’re dehydrated, the hose shrinks, making it difficult to get a good sample.

Not Preparing for Specific Tests

Some tests require special preparation. For example, a pap smear test is mostly scheduled many days after the mensural flow and the patient is required to avoid some activities like vaginal sex or douching 3 days to the test. Failure to observe these requirements, compromises the cellular structure leading to a false positive result.

How to Avoid It:
Always ask the patient to repeat the instructions to you after you have informed them of the requirements, this is to make sure they understand you.

Secondly, before sample collection, please ask again, “did you remember to avoid all vaginal activities…”

Be sure you are on the same page, no need going forward with the tests if the preparation for the tests were not made, if you must go on, then that should be put into consideration during result interpretation.

Not Being Honest About Symptoms

You have to understand that some patients might not be forth coming with the symptoms they are experiencing (or leave some out). This might cause a wrong test to be ordered for them based on what they admitted leading to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis.

How to Avoid It:
go through the tests that is ordered for them again and when applicable explain what that means and the reason why those kinds of tests are usually ordered.

Let them be aware that even minor symptoms or changes in your health can guide the decision-making process and ensure you get the right tests.

 

Misunderstanding Medication Restrictions

Certain medications, including over-the-counter drugs, can interfere with the lab results. For example, antibiotics may interfere with urine culture tests. Some supplements have been recorded to affect some tests

How to Avoid It:
Always check which medications your patients are taking at the time of the test, before test. If it has the potential of interfering with the lab test, inform your patients to discontinue and allow the drug to wear out of the system before proceeding with the test.

 

Inaccurate Collection of Home Samples

If they are collecting a urine, stool, swab or saliva sample at home, there’s room for error in collection, handling, storing, or timing. A patient can use the urine bottle for stool and use stool bottle for urine.

How to Avoid It:
Show them how each container is used and what it is used for; also, how to store the sample (e.g., refrigerate if necessary), and to bring it to the lab within the recommended timeframe. Send them home with a well written, and if possible drawn instructions.

 

Misinterpreting the Results

When the lab results is out, it’s common for patients to jump to conclusions based on numbers without understanding the full context. High or low values aren’t always a reason for concern—they depend on factors like age, sex, and overall health. Make sure to analyze and interpret the result to the patients, based on the full context of the patient’s details.

How to Avoid It:
As the healthcare provider interpret the lab results for the patient in terms they can understand. This will remove the temptation to self-diagnose based on internet searches or comparing their numbers to “standard” ranges without your professional input. Always let them know what the result says.

 

Forgetting to Ask Questions

Lab tests can be confusing, and many people don’t ask for clarification if they don’t understand the purpose of the test or what the results mean. This can lead to undisclosed information that might help in the final diagnosis.

How to Avoid It:
Encourage the patients to ask questions during the consultation. Whether it’s about the test itself, how to prepare, or what the results mean, your job as a healthcare provider is to help them understand. In this you will be able to fill in the missing gaps and as a result help you to help them.

Absconding from Follow-Up Tests

Sometimes, a single lab test doesn’t tell the full story, and from the lab test, follow up testing may be required to move forward. For instance, a patient with a negative RVS after exposure, is usually advised to retake the test after 3-6months. Ignoring these recommendations can delay treatment or lead to mismanagement of the patient’s condition.

How to Avoid It:
When a test result is inconclusive or without enough evidence to take a wholistic treatment action, it is your duty to let the patient know this in very clear terms. If possible, make a schedule for them and keep tabs to make sure they complete the entire process to getting better.

The Bottom Line

Lab tests are the chief corner stone upon which diagnoses and management of health conditions are built. But just like Chinese checkers, even a small mistake can impact the accuracy of the results. By knowing the common lab test mistakes and how to avoid them, you can play an active role in ensuring that test results are as accurate as possible.