Why is it critical to verify the patient's identity before specimen collection?

Verifying the patient's identity before specimen collection is essential to ensure that the correct specimen is collected from the right patient. This step is crucial in preventing errors that can arise from sample mix-ups, which could lead to incorrect diagnoses, treatment plans, or even serious health consequences for the patient. Accurate identification helps maintain the integrity of the medical records and the reliability of the test results. Given the high stakes involved in handling patient specimens, this verification process serves as a fundamental safeguard in healthcare delivery.