What is the significance of proper specimen collection order?

The significance of proper specimen collection order primarily lies in its role in preventing contamination between different specimens. This is crucial because various tests require specimens to be free from interference that could arise from additives in collection tubes or from the carryover of blood components. If the order is not followed, substances from one tube could inadvertently mix with another, leading to inaccurate test results. For example, if a tube containing an anticoagulant is filled before a serum tube, the anticoagulant could inhibit certain tests that require serum. Therefore, adhering to the correct order maximizes the integrity of each specimen collected.

While the other options touch on aspects of specimen collection, they do not address the fundamental importance of contamination prevention, which is critical for accurate testing and patient diagnosis.