Focus on Global Terminology

 This month’s terms:

• Sample: one or more parts taken from a system, and intended to provide information on the system, often to serve as a basis for decision on the system or its production EXAMPLE A volume of serum taken from a larger volume of serum
• Patient sample: a sample taken from the patient specimen and used to obtain information by means of a specific laboratory test.
• Specimen: (patient) - The discrete portion of a body fluid or tissue taken for examination, study, or analysis of one or more quantities or characteristics to determine the character of the whole. 

For complete details on these and other internationally accepted terms, access NCCLS’s Harmonized Terminology Database.  In the database, find standard, internationally preferred terms and definitions, related terms, terms that are not acceptable in the international standards community, and illustrative notes and examples. [ return to top ]