[Histonet] Two patient identifiers and handwritten blocks

[chiggerson <@t> memhosp.com]

Okay, so I do not receive any more "flaming" and vicious e-mails, let me 
clarify.

JCAHO requires two patient identifiers when collecting specimens, 
administering meds, etc. JCAHO recommends and encourages laboratories to 
use two patient identifiers on all aliquots (this includes blocks and 
slides). Our institution has implemented a two patient identifier policy 
before taking any action with a patient, patient specimen, or patient 
record (NOT just specimen collection).  This is institution wide. In 
addition, the laboratory has implemented the two patient identifier policy 
for all testing phases including preanalytical, analytical and 
postanalytical for both specimens and records. This is not only 
recommended by JCAHO but also recommended by CAP. Please note it is 
currently a recommendation, not a requirement. If you need a reference, 
refer to CAP's publication "Quality Management in Anatomic Pathology". 
Recommendations for including two patient identifiers on both frozen 
section slides and on all blocks and slides is located in the chapter 
"Strategies for Error Reduction and Prevention in Surgical Pathology". 
More and more institutions are taking these recommendatioins seriously and 
implementing policies both institution wide and laboratory wide. Mine is 
such a place. We have always used two patient identifiers, except on the 
blocks. Therefore, for those that are taking this seriously, I would like 
to know which two patient identifiers are used and how you implemented it. 
 I NEED to comply with my institutional and laboratory's policies.


Thanks,
Cindy 





"Richard Yeo" <ryeo <@t> wchosp.org> 
08/15/2006 10:31 AM

To
<chiggerson <@t> memhosp.com>
cc

Subject
RE: [Histonet] Two patient identifiers and handwritten blocks






SPECIMENS COMING INTO THE LAB REQUIRE TWO PATIENT IDENTIFIERS, NAME/DATE
OF BIRTH/SSN#...
NOT PARAFFIN BLOCKS/SLIDES. 

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of
chiggerson <@t> memhosp.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 9:37 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Two patient identifiers and handwritten blocks

For those of you that are still handwriting accession numbers on your
blocks:

1.      Do you require both the accession number and the patient's name
to 
be handwritten on the cassettes to meet the two patient identifier
patient safety requirement?

2.      If so, do you require the patient's full name? Or last name,
first 
initial?

3.      If not using the patient's name as the second identifier, what
are 
you using? Medical Record Number? 

4.      If not using two patient identifiers (accession number only),
how 
are you justifying not using two identifiers to meet the patient safety
requirements?

5.      For those that have implemented adding a second handwritten 
identifier to blocks, how did your staff react?

The obvious solution is a cassette labeler, however it just is not going
to happen soon.  Thank you in advance for your response to this very
important issue. 

Thanks,
Cindy 

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