How can a phlebotomist verify patient identity?

Verifying patient identity is a critical step in the process of drawing blood and ensuring patient safety. Asking the patient's name and date of birth is a widely accepted practice because it directly involves the patient in the identification process, reducing the chances of error. This method allows the phlebotomist to confirm the patient's identity in a straightforward manner, as most patients will easily recall their own name and date of birth.

This approach can also be more reliable compared to other methods, such as relying solely on a medical record number or address, which may not be as readily available for a patient or can lead to confusion if there are similar names or multiple individuals with the same address. Scanning an insurance card can sometimes help with identification, but it does not directly engage the patient and can lead to inaccuracies if the card isn't up to date or if there are any discrepancies with other identifying information.