Download Safe Labeling of blood specimens

Safe Labeling of
Laboratory Specimens
Mandatory training module for all staff
obtaining patient specimens
Fall 2007
Mislabeled Specimens
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Mislabeled specimens can result in patient death due to
transfusion of incompatible blood or inappropriate
treatment based on erroneous results
Following procedures to properly identify patients and
label the specimen can eliminate this risk.
Causes of mislabeled specimens
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Improper patient identification
Improper labeling of specimens
Patient Dies From Blood Mismatch; Inova Fairfax Employee Screened Wrong
Woman; [FINAL Edition]
Avram Goldstein. The Washington Post. Washington, D.C.: Aug 29, 2003. pg. B.01
The technician collected the sample from the patient on the wrong side
of the curtain in the semiprivate room, they said. The technician may
have failed to perform two identification screens that were required:
checking the name on the patient's plastic hospital bracelet and asking
the patient to state her name aloud, said Russell Seneca, chairman of
surgery at the hospital.
JCAHO 2004 National Patient
Safety Goals
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Improve the accuracy of patient identification
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Use at least two patient identifiers (neither to be the patient’s
room number) whenever taking laboratory samples or
administering medications or blood.
At Winthrop the patient’s name and medical record number
must be used for all patients.
If a patient sample is to be drawn/collected (in an emergency)
prior to registration, name and date of birth must be used.
For outpatients, name and date of birth must be used.
Standard Process for Patient
Identification and Specimen Labeling
1.
2.
Proceed to bedside with tubes/specimen containers
and barcode labels (tubes/specimen containers must not be
pre-labeled)
Confirm patient identity by comparing the name and
MRN on the barcode label to the name and MRN on
the ID band for each specimen obtained. The
information on the label must match the information
on the ID band exactly.
Note: a) Specimen is not to be drawn on any patient who does not
have an ID band or if information does not match exactly.
b) The nurse should identify the patient and place an ID band
on the patient prior to any specimen being obtained.
Standard Process for Patient
Identification and Specimen Labeling
(Cont’d)
3.
4.
5.
Obtain specimen
Prior to labeling the tube/specimen container, while
still at the bedside, confirm the patient identity by
comparing the name and MRN on the label to the
name and MRN on the ID band.
Affix barcode label to the tube/specimen container
AT THE BEDSIDE.
Note:
a) Never leave the bedside before labeling the
tubes/specimen containers.
b) Do not write any information on the tube’s blank label.
c) For Blood Bank Specimens Only - The barcode label must
be signed/initialed by the individual drawing the blood.
Emergency Department, Labor & Delivery
– in Extreme Circumstances Only
When a lab generated barcode label is not
available because the patient is not registered:
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Label the tube/specimen container at the bedside
writing the patient’s name and D/O/B directly
on the tube/container with a pen.
Blood Bank specimens only - sign or write your
initials on the tube label.
Note:
Barcoded labels are available for all registered patients
Labeling of Specimen in Extreme
Circumstances
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If the barcode label is not available due to system
failure or under extreme circumstances:
Label the specimen at the bedside by either
Hand writing the patient name and MRN on the
specimen tube label / container or
Affixing a patient’s chart label to the tube /
container
Blood Bank specimens only - sign or write your
initials on the label.
Note: Never double label the tube
Specimen Labeling
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ALWAYS
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Always - verify the patient’s
identity using two
identifiers (name and MRN
# or name and D/O/B)
(Name and D/O/B for unregistered
patients in ER and Labor & Delivery
Emergency Only)
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Always - confirm the
patient’s identity again when
labeling each
tube/specimen container
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NEVER
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Never - label
tube/specimen container
prior to obtaining specimen
Never - leave the
room/bedside before
labeling the tube/specimen
container
Never – collect specimen
from a patient without an
ID band.
Never – double label a
specimen/container.
Mislabeled Specimen
Improperly labeled specimens will be
rejected by the laboratory.
Specimen Labeling
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Please complete the post test which is attached
Give the post test to your supervisor for review
and filing
If you have any questions or concerns speak with
your supervisor
Patient Safety is our priority. Do not take short cuts.