PATIENT IDENTIFICATION

Identification of each patient from whom a specimen is collected must be verified. Adequate, and required patent identification information, such as name and unique identification number must be on the requisition and must be used as a part of the patient identification process. Patient identification verification document, the armband, must be physically on the patient.

Inpatient:

Compare the patient’s identification armband against the patient’s full name and medical record number shown on the requisition.

If the patient is conscious and reliable ask the patient to state their full name.

If the patient is not conscious and reliable ask the patient's caregiver or a family member to state the patient's full name.

If armband and requisition information agrees, then collection of specimen may proceed.

If armband and requisition information does not agree or the patient does not have an armband, DO NOT proceed with collection of specimen.

Notify patient’s nurse or other caregiver of armband problem.

Ask caregiver to place correct armband on patient.

After correct armband has been placed on the patient then specimen collection may proceed.

Complete online medical center variance report showing the patient location as the location of the variance and laboratory specimen collection department as the department involved.

All specimens must be labeled at the patient bedside, as appropriate related to patient isolation. Write legibly the date and time of collection and name, initials or tech code of the person collecting specimen on all labels at the time of collection. Label must be placed on specimen container at the patient bedside and a second verification of the patient identification should be done for each tube.

Blood Bank tubes require that patient's full name must be shown on label. If necessary the person collecting the specimen should complete the full name.

After labeling the tubes/specimen container a second verification/comparison of label and armband information must be done for each labeled specimen container.

Outpatient:

Outpatients and those delivering outpatient specimens must bring outpatient test requisition or physicians orders and patient demographics for registration to registration area.

New Hanover Regional Medical Center 17th Street

Monday through Friday (except holidays) from 0730 to 1700 registration will be completed at Medical Mall and specimen can be dropped or patient specimen collected at Medical Mall.

Holidays, weekends and after 1700 patients and specimens will be registered at the New Hanover Emergency Department and patients will be directed to department where service is provided (see below).

Cape Fear Memorial Hospital

Monday through Friday (except holidays) from 0700 to 1900 registration will be completed in registration department located on the first floor.

All other times outpatient registration will be done in the Cape Fear emergency department.

 

After the patient is registered he/she brings completed registration form with physicians orders to collection department.

New Hanover Regional Medical Center 17th Street

Monday through Friday (except holidays) outpatient specimen collection is performed at the Medical Mall from 0730 to 1700.

All other times outpatient specimen collection is performed in the Phlebotomy Department on the 17th Street campus.

Cape Fear Memorial Hospital

All outpatient specimen collection is performed in the Laboratory on the 2nd floor of the hospital.

Prior to outpatient specimen collection:

Ask the outpatient to state his/her full name, birth date or social security number. If patient is not alert, oriented and reliable enough to state this information, the family member or caregiver accompanying the patient is ask to state the information.

Compare stated information to the requisition and/or registration forms.

If all information agrees collect the specimen.

Label the specimen in the presence of the patient. Write legibly the date and time and name or initials or tech code of person collecting specimen on all labels at the time of collection and in front of the patient and/or patient family. Blood Bank tubes require that patient's full name be on label. If necessary person collecting the specimen will write the full name.

Ask the patient or family, again, to state patient's full name to verify specimen label.

Emergency:

In extreme emergency situations the patient’s full name may not be known and/or medical record may not have been assigned. If the patient is an Emergency Department patient a "trauma pack" may be used for assignment of an identification and medical record number. If patient name and medical record number are not available to ensure patient identification, an emergency Typenex band may be used.