What is the purpose of maintaining a chain of custody in patient care?

Maintaining a chain of custody in patient care primarily serves to guarantee the identification and integrity of samples. This process is crucial in ensuring that any samples collected, such as blood or tissue, are properly documented and tracked from the moment they are taken until they are analyzed. Keeping a clear chain of custody prevents contamination, mislabeling, or loss, which could compromise the results of diagnostic tests. It establishes accountability and provides a clear, documented history of the sample's handling, which is vital for ensuring that the findings are valid and suitable for clinical decision-making.

While ensuring patient comfort, providing accurate patient records, and securely storing patient data are also important aspects of patient care, they do not specifically pertain to the chain of custody's role in protecting the integrity of biological samples.