In a letter to the editor published Feb. 18, Margot Moser raised important concerns about privacy protection during patient registration. I am sorry to learn of her experience.
At LifeLabs, we are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of personal information and to ensuring the safety of our patients. Our practice for positive patient identification at the registration desk and prior to specimen collection are consistent with the requirements of the National Patient Safety Goals for accuracy of patient information. We want to ensure we have the right result for the right patient.
While we make efforts to obtain this information quietly and discreetly we appreciate that we can improve, so we have developed posters for our registration desk advising patients of the option to provide or confirm patient information at registration using non-verbal means. We are also providing additional training to all employees to ensure that patients are provided this option to confirm their identity.
On behalf of LifeLabs and all our dedicated employees, I thank Moser for taking the time to share her concerns. It helps us improve.
Elsa Cabral, Vice PresidentClient Services, LifeLabsToronto
