Sign In
CPSI Share                                                                      
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ ​​
Back to Search
Publication Type: NSIR-RT Bulletin
Single or Multiple Incident: Multiple
Date: 12/1/2021 12:00:00 AM
This bulletin discusses the importance of appropriate patient identification prior to a procedure and highlights the challenges posed by the COVID-10 pandemic. Protocol deviations resulting from COVID-19, such as the requirement that all patients wear masks, and increased infection control procedures such as changes to workplace layout, have increased challenges associated with patient identification. Three cases are provided: face masks impeding visual identification, workflow policy restricting review of patient appointment cards, and expectation bias resulting from changes to waiting room protocols are described. Recommendations to prevent patient misidentification are available in the bulletin.

Additional Details

Device:
masks, wristband

Rules / Policies / Procedures
  1. Significant changes to policies and protocols, made either in response to external pressures such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or internal ones such as resource limits, should be evaluated and assessed to ensure they reflect existing best practice and support safe care.
  2. CPQR's Quality Assurance Guidelines for Canadian Radiation Treatment Programs recommends that at least two person-specific identifiers are used to confirm that patients receive the service or procedure intended for them. Person-specific identifiers include name, date of birth, medical record number, and photographs. As has been suggested by the ESTRO report, the addition of a third discrete identifier can help reduce the likelihood of patient misidentification.
  3. Verifying information should be carried out discreetly and the patient should be asked to state their details that staff should then confirm by checking either the wristband, patient identity card, treatment chart, etc. Patient details can be very similar, and a fourth safety feature could be the inclusion of a patient photograph in the notes and/or in the record and verify system.

The Importance of confirming patient identification during procedural changes (the COVID-19 issue)