Which of the following is a correct method for identification of a hospitalized patient?

October 1, 2025 •

4 min read

According to The Joint Commission, improving the accuracy of patient identification has been a National Patient Safety Goal since 2002 due to the serious risks involved in misidentification. To ensure safety, healthcare staff must follow a specific protocol to correctly identify a hospitalized patient before administering care.

Quick Summary

A correct method for identifying a hospitalized patient involves using at least two unique identifiers, such as the patient's full name and date of birth, and actively engaging the patient in the verification process. This protocol helps prevent medication errors, surgical mistakes, and other adverse events.

Key Points

Two Identifiers: Always use a minimum of two distinct patient identifiers, such as name and date of birth, for accurate verification.
Verbal Confirmation: Ask the patient to state their identifiers rather than relying on confirmation questions, which can lead to errors.
No Room Numbers: Never use a patient's room or bed number as an identifier, as these are not unique and can change.
Engage the Patient: Encourage and involve the patient in confirming their own identity to ensure accuracy.
Use Technology Wisely: Leverage tools like barcode scanners, RFID, or biometrics to support and automate the identification process, but always back it up with a verbal check.
Address Special Cases: Establish specific protocols for identifying non-communicative, unresponsive, or infant patients, possibly using temporary identifiers until a formal one can be confirmed.
Label Specimens in Presence: Ensure all specimens, like blood or urine, are labeled in the patient's direct presence after verifying their identity.

The Core Principle: Using at Least Two Identifiers

Patient identification is a foundational aspect of patient safety, designed to prevent errors by reliably matching the right patient to the right treatment. The most widely adopted and correct method is to use a minimum of two separate, patient-specific identifiers before any intervention, such as administering medication, performing a procedure, or collecting a specimen.

What are acceptable identifiers?

Acceptable identifiers are unique to the individual and directly associated with them. The Joint Commission specifies several acceptable examples:

Patient's full name: This should be verbally confirmed and spelled out by the patient, if able, to avoid confusion with people who have similar or identical names.
Date of birth (DOB): Used in conjunction with the name, the DOB is a critical piece of data for distinguishing between patients.
Medical Record Number (MRN): This is a unique number assigned by the healthcare facility at the time of admission.
Other person-specific identifiers: This can include a phone number or, in the case of infants, a cord clamp number.

What are unacceptable identifiers?

Conversely, certain methods are explicitly discouraged or prohibited because they are not unique to the individual and can lead to dangerous mix-ups:

Patient room number or bed location: These can change frequently during a hospital stay and are not tied to a specific person. Relying on this information is a serious safety risk.
Confirmation questions: Asking confirmation questions like, "Are you John Smith?" is incorrect. A patient may be disoriented or simply agree, even if it is not their information. Staff must instead ask the patient to state and spell their name.

The Step-by-Step Patient Verification Process

Proper identification is an active process that requires the engagement of both the healthcare provider and the patient. It is not a passive check but a critical, deliberate action performed at every point of care.

Verbal confirmation

The most fundamental part of the process is verbal confirmation. Before any intervention, the healthcare professional should:

Ask the patient to state their full name and date of birth. This is crucial because it requires the patient to provide the information from memory, reducing the chance of an automatic, incorrect confirmation.
Compare the patient's verbal response to the information on their identification band and medical record. The identifiers must match on all documentation.

Role of the patient wristband

Patient wristbands are a critical tool for providing an immediate source of identification, but they are not the sole identifier. The wristband itself is a source of information, not an identifier. The personal data on the band, such as the name and medical record number, are the identifiers.

The wristband must be placed on the patient at the time of admission and remain attached throughout their stay.
For procedures like specimen collection, labels must be applied in the patient's presence after verifying the identifiers to prevent mix-ups.

Technological Enhancements to Patient Identification

Modern healthcare facilities are leveraging technology to increase the accuracy and efficiency of patient identification, reducing the risk of human error.

Barcode scanning and RFID

Barcode Wristbands: Many hospitals use wristbands with barcodes that can be scanned with a mobile computer. This provides quick, digital access to the patient's electronic health record and helps ensure correct medication and treatment administration.
RFID Technology: Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tags in wristbands or other items allow for automatic reading without a line of sight. These can hold more data than barcodes and offer enhanced data security.

Biometric identification

Emerging technology includes the use of biometrics, which are based on unique physical characteristics. This creates a secure, streamlined check-in process and nearly eliminates the risk of impersonation.

Fingerprint or facial recognition: These systems can accurately identify a patient during check-in or before a procedure.
Palm vein or iris scanning: These offer even higher levels of security and accuracy.

Addressing Special Circumstances

Some patient populations require special protocols to ensure accurate identification, as they may be unable to provide verbal confirmation.

Non-communicative or Unresponsive Patients: In emergencies, a temporary identification may be assigned. However, two identifiers must still be used, such as a temporary 'John Doe' name and a medical record number. Formal identification should be confirmed as soon as possible.
Same Name Alerts: For patients who share the same or similar names, electronic health record systems can be configured to trigger an alert, prompting staff to exercise extra caution.

Comparing Identification Methods


Feature	Correct Method	Incorrect Method
Number of Identifiers	Uses a minimum of two unique identifiers (e.g., name and DOB).	Uses only one identifier, or relies on non-unique information like a room number.
Verification Process	Asks patient to verbally state their identifiers (name, DOB).	Asks confirmation questions (e.g., "Are you Mr. Smith?").
Tool Use	Scans barcode on wristband or uses biometric technology.	Uses wristband as the sole source of information without verbal confirmation.
Specimen Labeling	Labels specimens in the patient's presence after two-identifier verification.	Pre-labels specimen containers before seeing the patient.

Conclusion: A Commitment to Vigilance

Ultimately, the correct method for patient identification is a multi-layered approach centered on the consistent use of at least two personal identifiers and the active engagement of the patient. From the initial check-in to every interaction throughout their stay, healthcare providers must remain vigilant. Standardized protocols, staff education, and the adoption of modern technology are all crucial components of a robust system that protects patients from misidentification and ensures they receive the safe, effective care they deserve. For more information on National Patient Safety Goals, review resources from the Joint Commission.

Frequently Asked Questions

The standard is to use at least two unique patient identifiers before any form of care or treatment is administered. This is a core safety practice recommended by organizations like The Joint Commission.

Acceptable identifiers include the patient's full name, date of birth, and assigned medical record number. Other personal information, like a unique phone number, can also be used.

No, a patient's room or bed number is not an acceptable identifier. These are unreliable as they can change during a hospital stay and are not unique to the individual.

This is an incorrect method. The correct procedure is to ask the patient to state their full name and date of birth to actively confirm their identity, as a disoriented or distracted patient may simply say yes.

For unresponsive patients, a temporary identifier should be assigned immediately upon arrival, which is then used in conjunction with a medical record number. Formal identification should be established as soon as possible.

Involving the patient, if they are able, is a crucial step for patient safety. It serves as a direct, active check and empowers the patient to participate in their own care, reducing the risk of human error.

Hospitals often use barcode scanning on patient wristbands, Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), and increasingly, biometric identification systems such as fingerprint or facial recognition to automate and secure the identification process.