What is the correct way to identify a patient before providing care?

Using two identifiers, such as the patient's name and date of birth, is the recommended practice for identifying a patient before providing care. This method aligns with safety protocols aimed at preventing errors in patient care, such as medication administration or procedures. By confirming both identifiers, healthcare providers can significantly reduce the risk of misidentifying patients, which could lead to serious safety issues including administering the wrong treatment or medication.

The use of two identifiers is crucial in environments where multiple patients may have similar names or when a patient may not be able to communicate effectively. This practice ensures accuracy and promotes patient safety by confirming critical information directly relevant to the individual receiving care.

Other methods, such as relying only on a single identifier like a room number or solely checking an ID bracelet, can be less reliable. A room number alone may not uniquely identify a patient, as it could be shared, and an ID bracelet may sometimes be lost or not accurately reflect the patient's current status. Therefore, the combination of name and date of birth provides a more comprehensive and reliable approach to patient identification.