One significant area within the current National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs) is patient identification. Currently, healthcare providers are required to use at least two identifiers, such as the patient’s name and date of birth, to ensure that each patient receives the correct medication and treatment (The Joint Commission, 2024). This practice aims to prevent errors like administering medication or blood products to the wrong patient. Looking ahead, advancements in technology are likely to enhance patient identification methods. For instance, the integration of advanced technology, like fingerprint scans, facial recognition, or iris scanning, could provide more accurate and secure forms of patient verification. These technologies can reduce reliance on manual data entry, minimize human error, and prevent mix-ups that could have serious health consequences. In addition, wearable health devices and smart wristbands with embedded RFID or barcode technology can automatically transmit patient data to electronic health record (EHR) systems in real-time. This improves workflow and accuracy in high-pressure environments like emergency departments and surgical units. As these technologies become more available and affordable, it is likely that the NPSGs will evolve to include new standards for their implementation. These changes would help promote safer, more efficient patient care.

The Joint Commission. (2024). 2024 Hospital National Patient Safety Goals. https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/standards/national-patient-safety-goals/2024/hap-npsg-simple-2024-v2.pdf

Wikipedia contributors. (2023). Barcode technology in healthcare. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcode_technology_in_healthcare