Overview
Patient identification and request verification in molecular diagnostics is the preanalytical confirmation that the specimen belongs to the intended patient (two identifiers) and that the ordered assay matches the request, before extraction or amplification begins.
Classification
| Check | Pass | Fail → action |
|---|---|---|
| Two identifiers | Exact match per policy | Hold/reject; resolve discrepancy |
| Label vs requisition | Same patient on both | Do not accession as-is |
| Test request | Ordered assay clear and intended | Clarify order before testing |
Morphologic Features
Not applicable, this entry covers identity and order verification, not specimen morphology.
Laboratory Characteristics
- Identity checks are independent of specimen-type acceptability
- Limited-volume molecular specimens make post-run corrections difficult
- Analytical specificity does not detect wrong-patient specimens
Reference Intervals
Not applicable, identity verification is a pass/fail process control, not a numeric reference interval.
Clinical and Laboratory Significance
Correct identity and request verification prevent false clinical action based on another patient's nucleic acid result or an unintended assay. Poor specimen identity control can make otherwise valid analytical runs clinically unreliable.
Differential Considerations
Unexpected molecular results that conflict with clinical context should prompt review of identity and order matching, not only assay performance, when labeling discrepancies are possible.
Comparison Tables
Identity vs request vs specimen-type failures
| Error type | What went wrong | Typical harm |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong patient | Specimen/label mix-up | Incorrect treatment/isolation for two patients |
| Wrong test | Order/assay mismatch | Unanswered clinical question; delayed care |
| Both correct IDs, wrong matrix | Specimen-type failure (separate lesson) | False-negative, invalid, or unreliable result |
Classification Frameworks
Not applicable, patient identification standards are institutional and accreditation-driven, not WHO disease classifications.
Laboratory Notes
- Collection devices, transport media, storage, and acceptance criteria remain assay-specific, but identity must pass first
- Poor specimens and identity errors both produce unreliable clinical outcomes
- Follow local SOP for discrepancy resolution every time
References
Authoritative textbooks, guidelines, and reviews supporting this reference entry. Verify reference intervals, critical limits, and reflex criteria against institutional protocols and current guideline editions.
Textbooks
- McPherson RA, Pincus MR. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Elsevier; 2021. (Molecular diagnostics chapters, verify current edition.)
- Buckingham L. Molecular Diagnostics: Fundamentals, Methods, and Clinical Applications. 3rd ed. F.A. Davis; 2019. (Verify current edition.)
CLSI and Professional Guidelines
- Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Consult current CLSI molecular method documents available through your laboratory, document numbers and editions change; do not treat any single CLSI title as universal.
- Institutional molecular laboratory SOPs, assay manufacturer instructions for use (IFU), and locally adopted accreditation requirements. Always verify current local practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
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