We once had a gentleman who needed to submit a semen specimen—but instead, he kept bringing in urine samples. Not once. Not twice. Every single time.
At that point, it was obvious this wasn’t noncompliance—it was a full-blown communication breakdown.
After several polite (and clearly ineffective) explanations, one of the phlebotomists decided to take a different approach.
She pointed to her wedding ring and said, “Wife.”
Then she paused… looked him dead in the eye… and proceeded to act it out. Some very unmistakable hip thrusting, followed by holding the specimen cup at crotch level and saying, “In here.”
No subtlety. No room for interpretation.
The patient just stared at her for a few seconds… completely expressionless… then turned around and walked out without a word.
We all thought, well, that probably didn’t help.
But the next day, he came back—walked up to the desk, handed over the correct specimen—and left just as silently.
Message received. Loud and clear.
Submitted by:
Alex Friedman
Laboratory Technologist
South Dakota, USA
