What is the significance of maintaining a chain of custody in a laboratory?

Maintaining a chain of custody in a laboratory is crucial because it ensures the integrity of samples. A chain of custody refers to the process of maintaining and documenting the handling of samples from the moment they are collected until the results are reported. This meticulous tracking confirms that the samples have not been altered, contaminated, or tampered with at any point in their journey through the testing process.

When the integrity of samples is upheld, the reliability of test results is significantly enhanced. These results are critical for accurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and legal investigations. Any break in the chain of custody can lead to questions about the authenticity of the data, potentially causing serious ramifications in clinical and forensic settings. This principle is foundational in laboratory settings where the results can have meaningful implications for patient care and legal outcomes.