The National Patient Safety Goals program, established by the Joint Commission, aims to enhance patient safety in healthcare organizations. As we look ahead, one area ripe for change is patient identification standards. The evolution of technology and communication methods promises to significantly improve how patients are identified within healthcare facilities, thereby reducing errors and enhancing overall patient safety. Patient identification errors can lead to severe consequences. According to the Joint Commission, misidentification can result in inappropriate medical treatments, medication errors, and even patient deaths. The root of these errors often lies in traditional identification methods, primarily reliant on wristbands and verbal confirmations. While these systems are foundational, they are not foolproof. The reliance on human memory and the possibility of similar patient names contribute to potential misidentification.

The concern for patient safety has grown steadily since the 1990s. The Institute of Medicine published the landmark report “To Err is Human” in 1999, bringing widespread attention to healthcare safety issues, including patient identification. This report highlighted the significant number of preventable errors in healthcare settings, serving as a catalyst for change. The National Patient Safety Goals, initiated by the Joint Commission, were subsequently designed to address these concerns.

The evolution of patient identification standards has seen gradual improvements, yet challenges remain. Traditional metrics of identification focus primarily on using two identifiers, such as a patient’s name and date of birth. While this approach has improved outcomes over time, it is not sufficient in addressing the growing complexity of patient demographics and the increasing prevalence of similar patient names and common surnames.

The advent of technology presents an opportunity to revolutionize patient identification. Advanced identification systems, such as biometric technologies, have emerged as promising alternatives.Biometric systems can utilize fingerprints, facial recognition, or iris scans to establish a unique patient identity. These technologies offer a higher degree of accuracy compared to traditional methods, as they are less likely to lead to errors associated with name similarities or miscommunication.

Heather B.

Institute of Medicine. (1999). To err is human: Building a safer health system. National Academies Press.

Joint Commission. (2023). National Patient Safety Goals. Retrieved from https://www.jointcommission.org/standards_information/npsgs.aspx

Mercy Health. (2021). How Mercy Health is using technology to improve patient safety. Retrieved from https://www.mercy.com/patient-safety-tech

Poon, E. G., & Huser, V. (2020). Patient identification: A key to reducing errors in the clinical environment. Journal of Healthcare Risk Management, 39(1), 30-37.