Question

A physician orders a STAT but phlebotomist forgets to fill out patient ID number. What is appropriate procedure for an improperly labeled specimen when received in lab?

Answer 1

The appropriate procedure for an improperly labeled specimen is to reject it and request a new sample with the correct patient ID number. This ensures accurate and reliable results and prevents potential errors or misinterpretation of results.

Step-by-step explanation:

When an improperly labeled specimen is received in the lab, there are specific procedures that need to be followed in order to ensure accurate and reliable results. The appropriate procedure for an improperly labeled specimen is to reject it and request a new sample from the physician or healthcare provider. This is important because the patient ID number is crucial for proper identification and tracking of the specimen throughout the testing process. By rejecting the improperly labeled specimen and obtaining a new sample with the correct patient ID number, the lab can ensure that the results are accurately correlated with the correct patient.

Rejecting the improperly labeled specimen also helps to prevent any potential errors or misinterpretation of results. Accurate identification and tracking of specimens are essential for patient safety and proper healthcare management. The lab can communicate with the phlebotomist or healthcare provider to determine the reason for the labeling error and take appropriate measures to prevent similar mistakes in the future.