Which of the following is the minimum required number of unique patient identifiers a phlebotomist should use prior to a blood draw?
One
Two
Three
Four
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A Reason:
Using only one patient identifier is not sufficient to ensure patient safety and accuracy in healthcare settings. It increases the risk of misidentification, which can lead to serious medical errors. Therefore, one identifier is not the standard practice for patient verification before a blood draw.
Choice B Reason:
While two identifiers are commonly used in many healthcare settings as a minimum requirement, they may not always provide enough differentiation, especially in larger facilities where patient names may be similar. Two identifiers are often the minimum standard, but they are not the most comprehensive approach.
Choice C Reason:
Three unique patient identifiers provide a more robust method for verifying a patient's identity, significantly reducing the likelihood of errors. According to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), three identifiers are recommended to ensure the correct patient is being collected. This may include the patient's full name, date of birth, and medical record number or another unique identifier.
Choice D Reason:
While using four unique identifiers could further reduce the risk of patient misidentification, it is not typically required as the standard minimum. Three identifiers are generally considered adequate for most healthcare settings to ensure patient safety and proper identification.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
The chain of custody form is crucial in the context of a toxicology drug screen for legal purposes. It is a document that records the sequence of custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of physical and electronic evidence. It is particularly important in legal cases where the results of the toxicology screen can be used as evidence in court. The chain of custody ensures that the sample has been handled properly and that the integrity of the sample has been maintained throughout the testing process.
Choice B Reason:
A requisition form is used to request a specific test or service. While it is an essential document in the process of ordering a toxicology drug screen, it does not serve the same purpose as the chain of custody in terms of legal proceedings. The requisition form typically includes patient information, the tests ordered, and the reason for the test, but it does not track the handling of the sample.
Choice C Reason:
An encounter form, also known as a superbill, is used in medical billing to capture the services provided during a patient's visit. It includes information about the patient's diagnosis, the procedures performed, and the codes for billing purposes. However, it is not specifically related to the legal aspects of a toxicology drug screen.
Choice D Reason:
The CMS 1500 form is the standard claim form used by healthcare providers to bill Medicare and Medicaid services. It is also used by some private insurers and managed care plans. Like the encounter form, it is related to billing and not to the legal chain of custody required for a toxicology drug screen.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Occult blood detection is a test that a phlebotomist is allowed to perform according to CLIA regulations. This test is typically used to detect hidden blood in the stool, which can be an early sign of colorectal cancer or other digestive system diseases. It is considered a waived test under CLIA, meaning it is simple and carries a low risk for an incorrect result.
Choice B Reason:
Flow cytometry is a complex test that requires specialized training and equipment. It is used to analyze the physical and chemical characteristics of particles in a fluid as they pass through at least one laser. Phlebotomists are not typically trained to perform this type of analysis, as it falls under the category of high complexity testing.
Choice C Reason:
Genetic molecular tests are used to detect specific sequences in DNA or RNA that may or may not lead to disease. These tests are complex and require specialized knowledge and equipment. They are not within the scope of practice for phlebotomists, who are trained primarily in blood collection.
Choice D Reason:
Electrophoresis is a laboratory technique used to separate DNA, RNA, or protein molecules based on their size and electrical charge. This type of test is also complex and requires specialized training and equipment, which is beyond the scope of a phlebotomist's duties.
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