Patient Identification and Consent — Practice Checklist

Step-by-Step Procedure (8 steps)

1. 1.

   Before entering, review the requisition for the patient's full name, date of birth, and test(s) ordered.

2. 2.

   Knock and enter, greet the patient, and introduce yourself by name and role.

3. 3.

   Ask the patient to state (not confirm) their full name and date of birth — never ask "Are you John Smith?" since patients may answer yes out of confusion or politeness.

4. 4.

   Compare the patient's stated identifiers against the requisition and, if present, their wristband.

5. 5.

   If any identifier doesn't match, stop and resolve the discrepancy with nursing staff before proceeding — do not draw the sample.

6. 6.

   Explain what you're about to do in plain language and ask for verbal consent.

7. 7.

   If the patient declines or hesitates, acknowledge their right to refuse and notify the ordering clinician or nurse rather than proceeding.

8. 8.

   Proceed with the collection only after identity is confirmed and consent is given.

Instructor Competency Checkpoints (5)

Your instructor or preceptor will be watching for all of these during sign-off.

• Uses two independent identifiers (full name and date of birth), asked as open questions, not yes/no confirmations.

• Cross-checks identifiers against both the requisition and the patient's wristband when one is present.

• Stops and escalates rather than drawing when identifiers don't match.

• Clearly explains the procedure and obtains verbal consent before beginning.

• Responds appropriately — notifying the care team, not arguing — if the patient refuses.

Critical Mistakes — Avoid These

• ⚠

  Asking "Are you Mr. Smith?" instead of "Can you tell me your full name?" — a yes/no question doesn't verify identity.

• ⚠

  Relying on a room number or bed assignment alone to identify a patient.

• ⚠

  Proceeding with a draw despite a mismatch between the wristband and requisition, assuming it's a clerical error.

• ⚠

  Skipping consent because the order "says to draw it" — consent and the physician's order are two separate requirements.

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  Arguing with or pressuring a patient who refuses, rather than notifying the nurse or ordering provider.