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Patient Identification Awareness Week

August 25 - September 1

As part of our commitment to patient safety, Catholic Health has designated August 25, 2010 to September 1, 2010 as Patient Identification Awareness Week. This designation aims to raise awareness of patient identification procedures designed to prevent medical errors.

Why is patient identification important?

Patient identification is a serious safety concern. If patient identification isn’t completed, it can lead to errors such as mislabeled specimens and incorrect radiology procedures, medications, and patient records, just to note a few. Each of these errors has the potential to cause serious harm to a patient.

What can you do to prevent medical errors?

Catholic Health Associates

Our nurses and other associates can prevent patient identification errors by verifying two forms of patient identification (name, date of birth; neonates: name and medical record number) with every clinical encounter.

Patients

Patients, we ask that you please remember that being asked more than once to confirm your name and date of birth is our commitment to your safety. Click here to learn how you can help to prevent medical errors and play an active role in your healthcare.