Which information is essential when labeling an aliquot?

Labeling aliquots accurately is crucial in laboratory practice to ensure patient safety and test accuracy. The essential information when labeling an aliquot includes the patient's full name and date of birth (DOB). This information helps in correctly identifying the specimen and matching it to the patient's medical records.

Including the patient's full name and DOB minimizes the risk of mix-ups between samples from different patients, which is vital in ensuring proper diagnosis and treatment. Accurate patient identification is mandated in laboratory protocols to uphold safety standards and maintain the integrity of test results.

Information such as test result and physician name or time of day and lab technician's name, though important in different contexts, is not as critical for the initial identification of the sample to prevent misattribution. Sample storage location is relevant for handling samples but does not pertain to individual patient identification. Therefore, the patient's full name and DOB are key components required on an aliquot label.