If my baby is in the NICU, can I sign my initials to verify a nurse’s lab specimen collection of my infant’s blood, etc.?  For most NICUs, the answer would be yes.  When a nurse draws blood, or another type of specimen, they are required to initial the lab label, which has the baby’s name, type of lab to be done, and patient identity numbers.  It may also include an area to enter the date and time the specimen was collected.  A nurse will fill this information out and sign it when they collect the lab

There are also times when a specimen is considered “precious”, which may be more difficult to obtain.  Examples of this can be umbilical cord blood or cerebral spinal fluid (CSF).  In these instances, a nurse may need two sets of initials. 

When this happens, nurses often find another nurse to also initial the lab label to verify that the specimen label matches the idenitfying wristbands or other patient identifiers physically on the baby.  So, in total, the lab specimen has two signatures.

Per policy, some neonatal intensive care units will allow a parent to co-sign these labels if need arises.  They will verify that the baby’s name, patient identification number, and lab to be ordered are all correct.  They will sign their initials or name alongside that of the nurse.

Any parents or NICU staff who are uncertain as to whether or not this is allowed in their particular NICU, should ask the nurse manager, or refer to the NICU policies and procedures manual.