Specimen labelling
Identifying the patient and labelling samples correctly.
Identify the patient
Confirm identity with at least two identifiers, such as full name and date of birth, checked against the request. Ask the patient to state their details rather than confirming details you read out.
Label at the patient’s side
Label each tube with the patient present, straight after collection. Never pre-label tubes.
What goes on the label
Follow the receiving laboratory’s requirements. These usually include the patient’s name, date of birth, a unique identifier, and the date and time of collection. Handwriting must be legible; printed labels must still be checked against the patient.
Why it matters
Mislabelled samples are rejected, and a wrongly labelled sample that is not caught can attach a result to the wrong person.
General information only. It is not accredited CPD and does not replace your training, your employer's procedures or the receiving laboratory's requirements.
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