I am having a hard time finding a regulatory reference that requires blood bank specimens to be labeled at the patient side by the individual drawing/identifying the patient. I need a reference to help me educate staff at our outpatient clinics. Can anyone help?

AABB Standard 5.11.2.1 The completed label shall be attached to the tube before the person who drew the sample leaves the side of the patient.

Thanks so much!

Also, The Joint Commission NPSG.01.01.01, EP2 states "Label containers used for blood and other specimens in the presence of the patient."

**REVISED** 07/11/2011

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[TD=width: 481, bgcolor: transparent]Compatibility Specimen Labeling

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[TD=width: 95, bgcolor: transparent]Phase II

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[TD=width: 575, bgcolor: transparent, colspan: 2]All blood samples used for compatibility testing are labeled at the time of specimen collection in the presence of the patient with:

1. Patient's first and last name

2. Unique identification number

3. Date of collection

4. Initials or other identifier of the phlebotomist.

NOTE: Blood specimens collected for compatibility testing must be positively and completely identified and labeled before leaving the patient. Acceptable practices for positive identification of patient and blood specimen labels must be defined in the procedure manual and may include visual inspection and/or an electronic system to read the identifying information contained in bar codes or radio-frequency identification (RFID) microchips or the patient's wristband. Acceptable practices for generating specimen labels must be defined in the procedure manual and may include electronic devices utilizing information encoded in bar codes or RFID microchips. There must be a dependable method to identify the phlebotomist who collected the blood sample.

Evidence of Compliance

✓ Written procedure defining labeling requirements of specimens for compatibility testing

REFERENCES

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[TD=width: 639, bgcolor: transparent]Wenz B, et al. Practical methods to improve transfusion safety by using novel blood unit and patient identification systems. Am J Clin Pathol. 1997;107(suppl 1):S12-S16

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[TD=width: 23, bgcolor: transparent]2)

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[TD=width: 639, bgcolor: transparent]Dale JC, Renner SW. Wristband errors in small hospitals. A College of American Pathologists' Q-Probes study of quality issues in patient identification. Lab Med. 1997;28:203-207

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[TD=width: 639, bgcolor: transparent]Sandler SG, Langeberg A, Carty K, Dohnalek LJ. Bar codes and radio-frequency technologies can increase safety and efficiency of blood transfusions. LabMedicine 2006;37:436-439

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[TD=width: 639, bgcolor: transparent]Sandler SG, Langeberg A, DeBandi L, Gibble J, Wilson C, Feldman CL. Radio frequency identification technology can standardize and document blood collections and transfusions. Transfusion 2007;47:763-70

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