Why is it important to label blood samples immediately after collection?

Labeling blood samples immediately after collection is crucial primarily to prevent incorrect sample identification. This step ensures that each sample can be accurately matched to the patient it was drawn from. Misidentification can lead to severe consequences, such as incorrect diagnoses or inappropriate treatments, which poses a risk to patient safety.

While it is important to meet laboratory standards and ensure practices like avoiding needle recapping and marking the date of collection, these actions do not directly address the critical issue of ensuring that the correct sample corresponds to the correct patient. Proper labeling at the time of collection minimizes the potential for errors, thereby enhancing the reliability of test results and maintaining the integrity of the laboratory process.