Why patient identification matters

Positive patient identification is the foundation of effective healthcare: the right care needs to be delivered to the right patient. However, medical identity theft and fraud have increased 20 percent in the last year.^[1] Now, more than ever, healthcare providers need a solution that accurately identifies patients at every point of care—a solution that ensures patient safety and protects their personal information. That’s why improving patient identification is the #1 National Patient Safety Goal for hospitals, as outlined by The Joint Commission.^[2]

In busy healthcare facilities, the patient identification process at registration can be cumbersome and challenging, and can result in unintended duplicate medical records and overlays  due to typing errors or miscommunication. These errors directly threaten patient safety and are costly and time-consuming to correct. In addition, patients are understandably concerned about their privacy, and are reluctant to exchange personal information (like Social Security Numbers) during the registration process.