Quality, Law, and Ethics Flashcards

What does the term 'chain of custody' mean in phlebotomy?

Answer: A documented trail tracking a specimen from collection through testing to ensure legal integrity

Chain of custody is the documented process that tracks who has possession of a specimen from collection to final result, ensuring it has not been tampered with for legal proceedings.

Which of the following is an example of a preanalytical error?

Answer: Drawing blood from a site above an active IV line

Drawing blood from above an IV line is a preanalytical error because it occurs before laboratory testing and contaminates the specimen with IV fluid.

What does HIPAA require regarding the sharing of patient laboratory results?

Answer: Results can only be shared with authorized individuals as defined by the patient's consent

HIPAA requires that protected health information, including laboratory results, only be shared with authorized individuals who have a legitimate need to know.

What is the purpose of quality control (QC) in the phlebotomy laboratory?

Answer: To monitor the accuracy and reliability of testing procedures using known standards

Quality control involves testing known standards alongside patient specimens to verify that testing procedures are producing accurate and reliable results.

A phlebotomist discovers that a coworker has been falsifying specimen collection times. What is the appropriate action?

Answer: Report the issue to a supervisor immediately

Falsifying specimen times is a serious ethical and legal violation that must be reported to a supervisor immediately, as incorrect times can affect patient diagnosis and treatment.

What does the legal term 'informed consent' mean in the context of phlebotomy?

Answer: The patient is given adequate information about the procedure and voluntarily agrees to it

Informed consent means the patient has been given understandable information about the procedure, its purpose, and any risks, and has voluntarily agreed to proceed.