Positive patient identification rightfully receives a lot of emphasis as a key to protecting patient safety. Preventing procedural and medication errors depends on accurately identifying patients. But consider that for each individual patient, there may be dozens of different samples and test results the hospital has to manage. While the patient can only be in one place at one time, his or her blood, urine, tissue and other samples may simultaneously be in departments throughout the hospital and other labs and healthcare facilities.
Patient safety demands accurate identification of both patients and samples. Accurate sample identification and management processes need to begin at the patient bedside. The greater the time or distance between when a sample is drawn and when it is identified, the greater the chance for error.
This white paper explores the link between sample identification and patient safety, documents the benefits of bedside sample labeling, explains effective bedside labeling processes, and identifies the printer and label media features that are required to be successful.
