When performing a blood draw, which action should be prioritized first?

Prioritizing the identification of the patient is crucial in the blood draw process because it ensures the accuracy and safety of the procedure. Confirming the patient’s identity helps prevent errors, such as mixing up samples or mislabeling them with incorrect patient information. This step should be performed ideally before any other actions take place because it sets the foundation for the entire procedure. By accurately identifying the patient, the phlebotomist can ensure they are collecting the right sample from the right individual, which is essential for effective diagnosis and treatment.

While preparing equipment, washing hands, and checking the order of draw are important steps in the phlebotomy process, they become secondary to patient identification. Proper equipment preparation and hand hygiene are vital for maintaining a sterile environment and ensuring safety; however, these actions should only be conducted after the patient has been accurately identified to confirm that the subsequent procedures pertain to the correct individual. Checking the order of draw is also important to prevent contamination of samples but is dependent on a clear understanding of who the patient is. Thus, establishing the patient’s identity first is a key step in the protocol for blood collection.