scope:

This standard discusses the critical need for accuracy in patient and specimen ID, the process required to maintain accurate patient and specimen ID throughout the preexamination, examination, and postexamination phases, and the verification of patient ID systems. It is intended for all providers and health care professionals who collect, label, and process biological specimens for laboratory testing, including blood and nonblood specimens, and who train others to do so. It is also meant to serve as a resource for those who develop patient ID systems, procedures, and practices, manage ID and labeling processes and specimen-collection personnel, and perform internal assessments.

In addition to ensuring accuracy in patient and specimen ID, this standard also seeks to harmonize patient and specimen ID processes throughout the health care industry wherever diagnostic blood and nonblood specimens are collected and identified. This standard serves as the overarching document to which all CLSI documents defer when discussing patient and specimen ID.