Meticulous completion of the haematology request forms is an essential component of pre-analytical protocol that contributes to quality management of patients. Were to determine the level and adequacy of information provided when haematological investigations are requested and its impact on patient management. Requests forms submitted for haematological examinations were checked for completeness. The rate of compliancewith filling in each item was determined. Comparisons were made between physicians and surgeons and among departments. Twenty-six and half percent (1060) of the forms were completely filled, while 73.5% (2940) had one or more omissions. Client’s name was filled in 100% of the forms while the item with the lowest level of compliance (56.3%) was the time of specimen collection. On the average, the rate of completeness of the forms was 86.6%. Physicians significantly completed the request forms more than the surgeons (32.8 vs 19.2%) p=0.0001. Department of Medicine had the highest completion rate of 43.7%, followed by Paediatrics 20.6%, Obstetrics and Gynaecology 19.5% and the least was Surgery 18.8%. Incomplete information on the request forms lead to non-interpretation of 21.5% of the laboratory requests by the laboratory physicians. There is low compliance with the supply of information required in the request form at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi. This negatively has an impact on the interpretation of the laboratory results. Modification of medical curriculum, education of clinicians, introduction of electronic requesting and rejection of request forms lacking critical items were been recommended.

Keywords: Request forms, evaluation, Nigeria, tertiary hospital