Preanalytical errors are a significant source of medical errors that can jeopardize patient safety. Proper specimen labeling practices are critical components of effective and accurate patient identification. These variables are now considered part of the preexamination process in the newest CLSI quality system management guideline, GP26-A3, as well as the newest relevant ISO guideline, ISO-IEC Standard 15189: Medical laboratories – Particular requirements for quality and competence. Major types of specimen labeling errors are associated with a small number of common causes. Specimen labeling errors have significant consequences for patient care, for healthcare management and for increasing costs that are often unaccounted for. Specimen labeling errors may be prevented by adhering to appropriate policies as well as unique educational programs, marketing strategies and other techniques. Recently, a multidisciplinary work group at a U.S. clinical institution suggested that the average hypothetical additional incurred total charges per specimen mislabeling occurrence would have been of USD 712.