From Collection to Compliance: Preventing Errors in Laboratory Practice
Proficiency testing (PT) is a critical quality assurance tool that ensures laboratory accuracy and reliability by comparing test results with established standards. Improper handling of PT — especially through unauthorized referral to external labs — can lead to regulatory sanctions, making it essential for lab directors, supervisors, and staff to understand and comply with PT referral rules. Ongoing education, including awareness of the TEST Act of 2012, best practices in specimen handling, and training in troubleshooting PT failures, is vital to maintaining compliance and improving laboratory performance. The following podcast episodes feature laboratory, patient safety, and quality-related interviews covering these topics.
Learning objectives
- Summarize proficiency testing and explain its role in ensuring the accuracy and quality of laboratory results.
- Describe the risks and regulatory consequences of improper PT referral and strategies to prevent such events.
- Identify best practices in specimen collection, handling, and testing that support compliance with PT requirements and improve overall lab performance.
Intended audience
- A Mayo Clinic-curated podcast for physicians, laboratory professionals, and students.
Podcast episodes
Proficiency Testing Referral: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You (a Lot)
Note: Podcasts will not playback on Internet Explorer. Please use an alternative web browser, or listen from your mobile device on a preferred listening app.
Drawing the Line: The Rationale Behind Blood Tube Collection Order
Note: Podcasts will not playback on Internet Explorer. Please use an alternative web browser, or listen from your mobile device on a preferred listening app.
Follow or subscribe to this podcast
Listen today through your favorite podcast platform:
APPLE PODCASTS | 
SPOTIFY | 
GOOGLE PODCASTS | 
AMAZON MUSIC | 
STITCHER | 
YOUTUBE | 
RSS LINK
Credit
The following types of credit are offered upon completion of all bundled podcast episodes:
ASCLS P.A.C.E.®
Mayo Clinic Laboratories is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the Clinical Laboratory Sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® program. This program has been approved for a maximum of 1.0 P.A.C.E.® contact hour.
State of Florida
Mayo Clinic Laboratories is approved as a Continuing Education Accrediting Agency for the Clinical Laboratory Sciences for the State of Florida. Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel has designated this program for Supervisor/Administration, Quality Control/Quality Assurance, and Safety credit. This program has been approved for 1.0 contact hour.
To obtain credit
- Listen to/view all bundled podcast episodes.
- Complete the post test and evaluation.
- Generate and print your certificate(s).
Level of instruction for this program is basic.
Credit for these podcast episodes expires on November 14, 2027.
Faculty disclosure
Course director(s), planning committee, faculty, and all others who are in a position to control the content of this educational activity are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest related to the subject matter of the educational activity. Safeguards against commercial bias have been put in place. Faculty members also will disclose any off-label and/or investigational use of pharmaceuticals or instruments discussed in their presentations. Disclosure of this information will be published in course materials so those participants in the activity may formulate their own judgments regarding the presentations.
More from Lab Medicine Rounds
A Mayo Clinic-curated podcast for physicians, laboratory professionals, and students, hosted by Dr. Justin Kreuter, assistant professor of laboratory medicine and pathology at Mayo Clinic, and featuring trending educational topics from subject matter experts.
