US Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Regulations (42 CFR Part 493) 1232: Establish and follow written policies and procedures that ensure positive identification and optimum integrity of each patient specimen from collection or receipt through testing and reporting

What does 1232 require?

The laboratory must establish and follow written policies and procedures that ensure positive identification and optimum integrity of a patient's specimen from the time of collection or receipt of the specimen through completion of testing and reporting of results, so that every aliquot, slide, block and result stays traceable to the right patient and the specimen is handled under conditions that preserve its fitness for the test.