Scenario
Sarah is paged to collect STAT blood samples from 3West, Room 226. She arrives at the nursing station to pick up the lab request form for Brenda Colby in W226 and proceeds to the room. She enters the room and introduces herself to the patient, and then proceeds to verify identification. The patient has just been admitted and does not have a hospital identification arm band yet. The nurse tells Sarah to go ahead and draw the patient, that she can verify patient ID since the physician is waiting for the results. She ensures the lab tech that she will apply the armband when it arrives. Sarah goes ahead and draws the sample since it is STAT.
Questions
- Was Sarah correct in collecting the blood sample? Why or why not?
- What does Sarah need in order to collect blood specimens from Brenda Colby?
- How can misidentification be prevented in the future?
Sample Solution
No, Sarah was not necessarily correct in collecting the blood sample without verifying patient identification. According to The Joint Commission (TJC), patient identification should be verified prior to any laboratory testing or procedure, even if it is STAT. In this case, Sarah should have explained the situation to the physician and asked for an alternate form of verification such as a photo ID or a copy of Brenda Colby’s medical record with her date of birth.
In order to collect blood specimens from Brenda Colby, Sarah needs proper verification of identity such as a hospital-issued arm band, a driver’s license, passport or other valid form of photo identification.
Misidentification can be prevented in the future by implementing policies that require double-checking patient information before performing any testing or procedures. Additionally, staff members should receive training on how to properly verify identity and document all information accurately.
Sample Solution
No, Sarah was not necessarily correct in collecting the blood sample without verifying patient identification. According to The Joint Commission (TJC), patient identification should be verified prior to any laboratory testing or procedure, even if it is STAT. In this case, Sarah should have explained the situation to the physician and asked for an alternate form of verification such as a photo ID or a copy of Brenda Colby’s medical record with her date of birth.
In order to collect blood specimens from Brenda Colby, Sarah needs proper verification of identity such as a hospital-issued arm band, a driver’s license, passport or other valid form of photo identification.
Misidentification can be prevented in the future by implementing policies that require double-checking patient information before performing any testing or procedures. Additionally, staff members should receive training on how to properly verify identity and document all information accurately.
