Blood samples may be rejected for several reasons: insufficient volume, hemolysis, clotting in anticoagulated tubes, mismatched labeling, expired collection tubes, or delays in transport. Reporting these issues clearly allows providers to obtain a fresh sample and ensures accurate test results rather than unreliable ones.
The rejection notification specifies the test affected, the reason for rejection, and recommended next steps. Patients may need a redraw, and providers can review collection technique to prevent recurrence. Strong quality controls help minimize sample rejections and protect patient care.