What will happen if specimen is not identified properly?

Unquestionably, the most serious consequence of specimen labeling errors on the direct care of patients is of one of the following types: Failure to provide proper and immediate care to a patient based on the lack of accurate test results associated with the proper patient.

What is the importance of correct labeling of specimens?

Accurately identifying patients and correctly labeling specimens are critical to ensure patient safety. If a specimen in not accurately identified, it can lead to delayed or wrong diagnoses, missed or incorrect treatments, blood transfusion errors, and more.

How do you prevent specimen labeling errors?

Here are 3 Best Practices for Reducing Specimen Labeling Errors:

1. Use at Least Two Patient Identifiers.
2. Enforce Periodic Quality Audits for Proper Labeling.
3. Implement Barcode ID System.

What is specimen error?

In a patient identification error, a specimen is labeled with the incorrect patient name or identification number. In a specimen identification error, a specimen is misidentified as to site of origin or time of collection but the specimen is correctly associated with patient name and/or unique identification number.

How an improper specimen can affect a patient’s results?

Errors in specimen labeling lead to a higher number of inaccurate test results (e.g. wrong patient-wrong results), which can delay patient’s results and treatment options.

What can cause contamination of a specimen?

Contamination of a sample by other samples is referred to as cross – contamination. It can result from damaged or cracked containers, close proximity of other samples and untidiness on work benches or weighing balance tables.

What happens when lab specimens are found to be labeled incorrectly?

Increase Lab & Hospital Expenses Specimen labeling errors not only compromise the safety of your patient, but also increase lab and hospital expenses. Mislabeled or misaligned labels lead to added costs for retesting and supplementary supplies.

How do blood collection errors affect patients?

Any error during the laboratory testing process can affect patient care, including delay in reporting, unnecessary redraws, misdiagnosis, and improper treatment. Sometimes, these errors may even be fatal (e.g., acute hemolytic reaction after incompatible blood transfusion caused by an error in patient identification).

What are the consequences of not labeling specimen correctly?

Specimen labeling errors have long plagued the laboratory industry putting patients at risk of transfusion-related death, medication errors, misdiagnosis, and patient mismanagement.

What are the specimen labeling errors?

Design: Labeling errors were categorized as: (1) mislabeled, (2) unlabeled, (3) partially labeled, (4) incompletely labeled, and (5) illegible label. Blood specimens for routine or stat chemistry, hematology, and coagulation testing were included.

What are the effects of missing or inappropriately assigning a label or unit to our laboratory results?

What would happen if the specimen becomes contaminated?

This is often described by the clinical laboratory as ‘mixed growth bacteria’. A contaminated sample may lead to a false-positive urine culture result. In a non-contaminated urine specimen, only a single bacterial growth is identified as the source of the infection.

What are the consequences of specimen labeling errors?

Unquestionably, the most serious consequence of specimen labeling errors on the direct care of patients is of one of the following types: Failure to provide proper and immediate care to a patient based on the lack of accurate test results associated with the proper patient

What information should be on a specimen label?

All specimens must have a quality label affixed to them, with no missing pertinent patient information. Be sure the label has the correct patient name, patient information, contents, and specimen source. Avoid handwritten labels, since legibility is essential, and misinterpreting handwriting can greatly impact patient safety.

What are the consequences of performing label error corrections?

Valuable staff time is wasted by performing label error corrections. When staff must perform numerous patient sample re-draws and retesting, the efficiency and productivity of your lab diminishes, and staff productivity and satisfaction is negatively affected.

What are the negative effects of labeling a student?

Negative Effects. Labeling can also lead to others having lower expectations for the student. Adults, including teachers and parents, may think the student cannot do what is required and lower their expectations. If the teachers and parents do not believe in the student’s ability, then the student will not either.