This paper discusses potential vulnerabilities in the laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19, such as sample misidentification, inappropriate or inadequate sample collection, sample contamination, as well as the challenges to the diagnostic accuracy of current COVID-19 tests.

Patient identification mistakes associated with diagnostic blood testing can have serious consequences. This commentary recommends several strategies to redesign laboratory processes to reduce risks of specimen misidentification, such as utilizing at least two patient identifiers, providing staff training, and using technologies to track and manage specimens.

Specimen labeling errors can result in patient misidentification and harm. This position paper draws from international guidelines to advocate for standardizing the processes involved in phlebotomy to reduce the potential for both patient and sample labeling errors. The authors recommend strategies for improvement including barcoding, staff training, and monitoring of mistakes to inform process enhancements.

This review provides an overview of identification errors in laboratory medicine, building on past efforts to highlight practical solutions for prevention.