What is the first and foremost action a phlebotomist should take?

The primary responsibility of a phlebotomist is to ensure patient safety and accuracy in blood collection, which begins with positively identifying the patient. This crucial step involves confirming the patient’s identity using at least two identifiers, such as the patient’s name and date of birth, or name and medical record number. By verifying the patient’s identity before any procedure, the phlebotomist minimizes the risk of administering care to the wrong individual and ensures that the specimens collected are matched to the right patient’s medical records.

Other actions like checking the lab requisition, preparing the drawing equipment, and putting on gloves are essential steps in the phlebotomy process as well. However, these actions cannot take place until the patient has been correctly identified. Therefore, positively identifying the patient serves as the foundation for all subsequent steps in the procedure, aligning with the core principles of patient care and safety in the healthcare setting.