I have been present to watch healthcare evolve over the last twenty-seven years. With the advancement of technologies, there are infinite possibilities for future changes to improve patient safety and delivery of care. One area that will change and grow is patient identification standards. As the technology improves, it is likely that biometric identification will become a standard practice that can quickly and accurately identify patients. Implementing measures such as facial recognition, fingerprint/palm vein pattern recognition, and the like will allow for faster and more accurate identification. This improves patient safety by reducing medical errors, such as wrong procedures and medication errors.

Another area that is actively evolving is that of communication processes. With Electronic Medical Records having been widely implemented in healthcare organizations, the accessibility of patient information to all providers, improving the channels of communication between the disciplines. Moving forward, patient medical records will be accessible by providers at all facilities, improving patient safety and allowing for continuity of care.

Technological advancements will likely revolutionize patient identification, prioritizing accuracy, security, and efficiency.

The Joint Commission. (2024). National Patient Safety Goals Effective January 2024 for the Hospital Program. https://www.jointcommission.org/standards/national-patient-safety-goals/hospital-2024/

Adams, S. M., & Klein, R. (2021). The role of artificial intelligence in enhancing patient safety: A review. Journal of Patient Safety and Risk Management, 26(1), 20–25. https://doi.org/10.1177/2516043521994377