What is a critical step before performing a venipuncture?

Identifying and verifying the patient is a crucial step before performing a venipuncture. This process is essential to ensure that the right procedure is performed on the right individual. Mistakes in patient identification can lead to serious consequences, including misdiagnosis or incorrect treatment based on erroneous test results.

By confirming the patient's identity, healthcare providers can ensure that the correct tests are performed and that the proper clinical information is documented. This step is typically done using two identifiers, such as the patient's name and date of birth, to enhance accuracy.

While disinfecting the collection site, choosing the appropriate needle size, and checking the patient's medical history are also important aspects of the venipuncture process, they do not take precedence over patient identification. Proper identification is the foundational first step that safeguards patient safety and the integrity of health records.