Correct Identification and Procedure Matching

CPDTime.
5m

Published: 19 August 2021

Identifying the right patient is something we are taught from day one when training as medical professionals, to ensure that the right procedure is carried out on the right patient at the right time.

Mistakes can and will happen, which is why correct identification and procedure matching is crucial for minimising risk and keeping our patients safe.

It is important to consistently check the patient’s identity and match it with their intended care throughout their hospital stay. Also, ensure this has been correctly documented.

Correct Identification and Procedure Matching in the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards

Correct identification and procedure matching is outlined in Actions 6.05 and 6.06 of the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, under Standard 6: Communicating for Safety.

Action 6.05

This action aims to ensure healthcare organisations maintain a comprehensive, organisation-wide system in order to ensure the reliable and correct identification of patients (ACSQHC 2019a).

Organisations should:

  • Define approved identifiers according to best-practice guidelines
  • Use at least three approved identifiers upon:
    • Registration and admission
    • Providing care, medicines, therapy or other services
    • Generating clinical handover, transfer or discharge documentation.

(ACSQHC 2019a)

Action 6.06

This action aims to ensure healthcare organisations have explicit processes in place to correctly match patients with their intended care so that the right patient receives the right care (ACSQHC 2019b).

Organisations should:

  • Specify processes for correctly matching patients to their care
  • Document the process of correctly matching patients to their intended care.

(ACSQHC 2019b)

What are the Approved Identifiers?

correct identification and procedure matching nurse checking patient's identity

There are six approved identifiers that can be used to ensure the right patient is matched with the right procedure. These include:

  • Name (family and given names)
  • Address
  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Medical record number
  • Individual healthcare identifier.

(ACSQHC 2019a)

Three of these must be used every time a procedure is being discussed with the patient or about to be carried out in order to safeguard against medical errors or breach of confidentiality.

Why are Three Approved Patient Identifiers Required?

Studies in the USA have found that the risk of false matching decreases dramatically from a 2-in-3 chance to a 1-in-3500 chance when first and last name, postcode and date of birth are used to identify a patient, compared to last name alone.

With some names being common, it is not unusual to have two patients in the same ward with the same last name (or both names), in which case it is vital that other identifying information is used before carrying out a procedure.

Identity Checking at Admission and Registration

As soon as the patient enters the ward or surgical suite, it is crucial to check that they are the expected person for the planned procedure or care.

Clinical registration or hospital admission policies need to clearly document how to identify the patient using three of the approved identifiers.

This information should be obtained by:

  • Checking the appointment letter against the patient list
  • Asking the patient to confirm key identifiers - typically name, address and date of birth
  • Ensuring that all documentation, medical notes and electronic systems used match the patient in front of you
  • Ensuring that all paperwork is present and identifiers match if the patient has been transferred from another department.

Asking the Patient for Identifier Information

This is the best way to ensure that the correct patient is in front of you and expecting the same procedure that you have listed.

Mistakes can happen when appointments are made, letters dispatched or transfers made between departments. Unless their cognitive function is impaired, the patient knows themselves and what they’re expecting best.

However, it is important to bear in mind that some patients’ anxiety will prevent them from processing information correctly, meaning that they may nod and agree with something that’s incorrect. Using open-ended questions along with checking the identity band against your notes is the best way to ensure a positive match.

There will be some situations where the patient is unconscious and unable to provide the information required.

In these instances, every effort must be made to identify the correct patient, but identifiers may be limited to medical number and gender without the patient being able to confirm their name, address and date of birth.

Therefore, prior documentation of the patient’s identity and confirmation that clinical handover at every stage has been handled correctly are important.

What Information Must You Record and Document?

You must ensure that the approved identifiers have been recorded. How this information has been obtained should also be documented.

Your organisation should have clear policies and procedures in place outlining where and how to document this information.

Remember that if it hasn’t been written down, you can’t prove you’ve done it - so take care with your notes and make sure they’re accurate.

ID Band Specifications/Standards

correct identification and procedure matching id band

The patient identity wristband is consistently used to check for approved identifiers throughout a patient’s hospital stay and at each stage of treatment.

Whether it uses barcode technology or printed details, it is paramount that all details are correct so that positive identification can be confirmed.

The Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care (2008) has developed specifications for a national patient identification band to ensure standardised best-practice across the country.

Based on the principle that the primary purpose of the identification band is to identify the patient, the Commission believes that black text on a single white band with the core patient identifiers is the safest and most reliable way to present this information.

This means that coloured wristbands to denote allergies or specific wards are no longer considered appropriate and that the identity band should only contain the following information:

  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Medical number/healthcare identifier.

Family and given names should be clearly differentiated to prevent misidentification. The family name should appear first in upper case letters followed by the given names in title case. i.e. DOE Jane.

However, it’s important to remember that the wristband isn’t always right.

Errors can occur when inputting information into the computer system and may not be immediately spotted, so always ensure that you’re checking the wristband with something else such as the medical notes and your patient, where possible.

What Happens at Clinical Handover?

Where a clinical handover is needed at the end of a shift or for patient transfer, it is critical that both medical professionals involved check the identity of the patient using three of the approved identifiers, ideally with the patient involved.

Clinical handover often happens in the staff room or another area of the ward that is large enough for all team members to gather, however, this can lead to confusion if several patients and procedures are being discussed at the same time.

Bedside handover using the identity band and patient’s confirmation is the best way of ensuring that patient’s safety.

What Happens When Misidentification Occurs?

Sentinel incidents are adverse incidents caused by ‘hospital system and process deficiencies, and which result in the death of, or serious harm to, a patient’ (PC 2018).

According to the Productivity Commission’s 2018 report on government health services, there were 82 sentinel incidents nationally between 2015 and 2016, five of which were ‘procedures involving the wrong patient or body part that resulted in death or major permanent loss of function’, compared to just one between 2014 and 2015.

Patient safety incidents and near misses associated with incorrect patient identification are a recognised problem internationally and have been identified as a key patient safety goal by agencies around the world.

When we fail to identify a patient correctly and match them with their intended procedure, the results can be disastrous. Potential consequences that might occur due to patient misidentification include:

  • The wrong procedure being performed, or a procedure being performed on the wrong person, wrong side or wrong site
  • Medication errors
  • Blood transfusion errors
  • Incorrect diagnostic tests being performed.

It is important to mention that these mistakes often harm two or more patients, for example, two patients with similar names receiving the procedure meant for the other, or the implant reserved for one patient being used on another.

The World Health Organisation introduced the Surgical Safety Checklist in 2008 to ensure identification and safety checks are carried out at pre-anaesthetic induction, before skin incision is made, and before the patient leaves the operating theatre.

The use of the checklist has found a reduction in patient mortality and inpatient complications compared to non-use.

Conclusion

Patient identification errors can occur anywhere within the healthcare process and at any healthcare facility, which is why preventing mistakes is crucial.

Ensuring you know the policies and processes of your organisation and following them with every patient is the best way to keep your patients safe and ensure they receive the treatment intended for them.

Additional Resources


References

Test Your Knowledge

Question 1 of 3

Which of the following is NOT an approved identifier?

Author

educator profile image
Zoe Hughes View profile
Zoe is a copywriter and blogger from the UK. Once working as an Operating Department Practitioner in a busy Orthopaedic theatre suite specialising in regional anaesthetic techniques, she now writes for the health industry due to disability. Using the education and skills learned as a nurse, along with the experience of being disabled – Zoe is passionate about helping health professionals communicate better with their patients via social media, blogs and websites. In her spare time, Zoe is a governor at her local primary school, and is writing a play about invisible illness.