How should a perioperative nurse handle specimens taken during surgery?

In the perioperative setting, handling specimens taken during surgery is crucial for ensuring patient safety and the accuracy of diagnoses. The correct approach involves following established protocols for collection, labeling, and documentation. This process includes properly identifying the specimen, labeling it with the patient's information and details of the specimen type, and maintaining accurate documentation throughout to ensure it can be tracked and analyzed postoperatively.

Adhering to these protocols helps prevent errors such as mislabeling or loss of specimens, which can lead to diagnostic delays or wrong treatments. In addition, proper documentation supports compliance with legal and regulatory standards and improves overall patient care quality.

It's important to note that simply discarding specimens or giving them directly to patients does not meet professional standards or practices and may compromise patient safety. Relying solely on a surgical technician for this critical task neglects the perioperative nurse's role in ensuring that all protocols are meticulously followed, as the nurse is responsible for comprehensive patient care throughout the surgical process.