What could be a result of not properly identifying a patient before a blood collection?

Not properly identifying a patient before a blood collection can lead to improper interpretation of test results, which is a critical concern in healthcare. Accurate patient identification is essential to ensure that the blood sample being drawn belongs to the right individual and that the results are accurately attributed to that patient. When misidentification occurs, it can result in significant clinical implications, such as incorrect diagnoses, inappropriate treatment plans, or even administration of the wrong medications based on erroneous test results.

In contrast, while increased collection time and more discomfort for the patient may be possible issues in some contexts, they are not as directly tied to the misidentification of patients as the interpretation of test results is. The primary goal of proper identification is to safeguard the accuracy of clinical information and ensure patient safety.