Specimen Collection Specimen Collection Specimen labelling A correctly labelled specimen is essential. Persons collecting specimens must positively identify the patient, and ensure that there are at least two unique identifiers recorded on the specimen. 1. Patient first and surname. 2. Date of birth ( and/ or medical record number for hospital patients). A correctly labelled specimen should arrive in the laboratory with a completed pathology request form that includes the date and time of collection. There are exacting requirements for blood bank specimens and paperwork. See Blood Banking. There are also specific requirements for all antenatal and prenatal specimens. 1. All pre- transfusion and antenatal and perinatal specimens must be labelled with surname, given name(s), date of birth, date and time of collection 2. The person collecting the blood is to sign or initial the tubes 3. The person collecting the blood is to sign a declaration on the r