When should tubes be labeled during a blood draw?

Labeling tubes immediately after the blood draw is vital for ensuring correct patient identification and sample integrity. This practice minimizes the risk of mistakes that could occur if multiple samples are drawn in different tubes or if the patient’s information or sample type is mixed up. By labeling the tubes right after the draw, the healthcare professional can confirm that the information on the label accurately corresponds to the specific sample collected from the patient at that moment.

Such immediate labeling helps to maintain a clear and accurate chain of custody for the samples and is crucial for effective laboratory processing. Proper labeling is critical to avoid misidentification that can lead to erroneous test results and impact patient care.