Question

You are asked to collect a blood specimen from an inpatient. The patient is not wearing an ID band. What is the best thing to do?

1) Ask the patient for their name and date of birth
2) Collect the blood specimen without verifying the patient's identity
3) Ask the nurse for the patient's identification
4) Refuse to collect the blood specimen until the patient is properly identified

Answer 1

Refusing to collect a blood specimen until the patient is properly identified is the best practice, as it ensures patient safety and the accuracy of the medical process.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you are asked to collect a blood specimen from an inpatient and the patient is not wearing an ID band, the best thing to do is to refuse to collect the blood specimen until the patient is properly identified. This is to ensure patient safety and the integrity of the specimen. Verification of patient identity is a critical step in the blood collection process to prevent medical errors. Asking the patient for their name and date of birth is not sufficient because they may not be oriented, capable of interacting, or may have a problem understanding reality. Therefore, checking with a nurse or another member of the healthcare team to obtain proper identification before proceeding is prudent. In a healthcare setting, the protection of patient privacy and accuracy in patient care are paramount.