Focus on Five: Labeling in the Laboratory: Using two patient identifiers in the presence of the patient

Source: Joint Commission Perspectives on Patient Safety, Volume 6, Number 2, February 2006, pp. 11-11(1)

 

Proper labeling of specimen containers has always been required as part of the Joint Commission laboratory standards. National Patient Safety Goal 1A for laboratories specifies that health care providers cannot pre-label specimens but instead must label sample collection containers with two patient identifiers in the presence of the patient. These requirements do not apply only to laboratory staff, but to all staff members of an accredited organization, whether its laboratory is Joint Commission accredited or not. This article offers five strategies for organizations to comply with Goal 1A.