J Korean Med Assoc.  2015 Feb;58(2):93-99. 10.5124/jkma.2015.58.2.93.

Concept and importance of patient identification for patient safety

• Yum H

• KMID: 1958369
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2015.58.2.93

Abstract

Patient identification (PI) errors have been one of the most serious global healthcare quality issues for patient safety. Errors in PI are the root causes of many adverse events. Patient identification is the very first International Patient Safety Goal; however the current healthcare system is not culturally or structurally organized for preventing PI errors. The general procedures for the prevention of PI errors include using at least two identifiers, checking of accurate wristbands, standardizing the PI process, and eliminating shortcuts. Standardized protocols such as a good surgical site mark, a surgical checklist, the mandatory 'time-out', and the rule of the five rights for safe medication should be applied. For example, the surgical checklists have significantly improved mortality and decreased complications from surgery. During patient interactions, patients should be treated as partners in efforts to prevent all avoidable harm in healthcare. For example, patients should state their identifiers rather than be asked to confirm their identifiers. All healthcare professionals should receive training in patient safety concepts and strategies to enhance patient participation. For the future prevention of PI errors, patient photographs on wristbands, barcodes, biometric markers, fingerprints, retina scans, radiofrequency identification chips, and framework checklists for identifying a range of clinical care processes will ideally be available to healthcare professionals for improving patient safety and clinical outcomes. The changes are sometimes not pleasant but if we have to accept the changes, the changes should be started from me for the safety of everyone and every time in all healthcare services.

Keyword

Patient safety; Patient identification systems; Checklist, Medical errors

MeSH Terms

Checklist
Delivery of Health Care
Dermatoglyphics
Human Rights
Humans
Mortality
Patient Identification Systems
Patient Participation
Patient Safety*
Quality of Health Care
Retina

Figure

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  Figure 1 Protocol of patient identification in health care organization.

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