The clinical lab provides diagnostic test data to aid in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease. The lab is responsible for correct identification, collection and processing of patient specimens, accurate performance of testing, timely reporting of results, and communication with healthcare professionals. There are six main steps in how a sample flows through the lab: 1) test is ordered, 2) sample is collected, 3) sample is delivered to the lab, 4) sample is processed, 5) sample is analyzed, and 6) results are reported. Common specimen types include blood, urine, body fluids, sputum, stool, and tissue samples.