UT-Harris County Psychiatric Center
Nursing Procedures

Patient Identification

Introduction

Date of Last Review: 3/11/11 SME: Chief Nurse Officer Two (2) patient identifiers are used to positively identify patients. Acceptable identifier(s) are used whenever administering medications, obtaining specimens, performing diagnostic procedures.

Policy

Two identifiers must be used. The primary identifiers to be used are: Patient's name and date of birth The medical record (i.e., MAR, Facesheet) and/or armband will be used to verify information given by patient. If the patient is unable to give his/her name and date of birth, a secondary identifier will be utilized. This may include: Photo ID Visual recognition by a staff or family member The patient's room number is not to be used as a patient identifier.