“Improve the Accuracy of Patient Identification” is one of the 2021 National Patient Safety Goals (Joint Commission, 2021). This objective highlights how crucial it is to identify patients accurately to protect their safety and avoid mistakes in medical facilities. Achieving this aim at my workplace brings both possibilities and problems. Enhancing patient safety is one possibility that results from increasing patient identification accuracy. For the purpose of giving the appropriate care to the appropriate patient, eliminating medication mistakes, guaranteeing accurate documentation, and avoiding pointless procedures or treatments, accurate patient identification is crucial (Riplinger et al., 2020). We may significantly lower the risk of patient damage and raise overall safety by establishing robust identification procedures, such as using two patient identities, using technology like barcode scanning, and routinely confirming patient information.
Accurate patient identification also helps healthcare professionals collaborate and communicate effectively with one another. Healthcare personnel can better communicate information, coordinate treatment, and avoid misunderstandings or miscommunications that might result in mistakes when they can identify patients (Joint Commission, 2021). This encourages smooth care transitions and facilitates the provision of integrated, patient-centered healthcare services. However, there are specific difficulties in accomplishing the objective of better patient identification in my working environment. The possibility of human mistakes is one difficulty. Healthcare practitioners may still need help correctly recognizing patients despite the use of standardized standards and technology, particularly in busy and stressful workplaces (Riplinger et al., 2020). The accuracy of patient identification might need to be improved by factors including similar names, language problems, unconscious or perplexed patients, or dependence on antiquated identification techniques.
The need for organizational commitment and resources presents another difficulty. All healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, allied health specialists, and administrative staff, must work together to achieve this aim. It calls for putting in place precise rules and procedures, giving thorough instructions on patient identification processes, and putting in place reliable mechanisms for reliably confirming patient identity. To maintain compliance and find areas for improvement, this may need expenditures in technology, employee training initiatives, and continual monitoring and review.
Multiple solutions may be used to solve these issues and improve patient identification in my workplace. First, consistent education and training sessions should emphasize the significance of precise patient identification and equip personnel with the information and abilities to apply best practices. This may include the dissemination of case studies, the running of simulations, and the use of active learning techniques. Second, using technology may significantly increase the accuracy of patient identification. Workflows may be streamlined while accuracy is improved by implementing electronic health records (EHRs) with built-in patient verification systems, using barcode scanning for prescription administration and specimen collection, and researching biometric identification techniques.
Therefore, it is critical to promote a culture of responsibility and safety. In order to identify weak areas, remove obstacles to precise patient identification, and continually improve procedures, it might be helpful to promote mistake-reporting systems, encourage open communication among staff members, and carry out frequent audits or evaluations.
In conclusion, there are several potentials to improve patient safety and healthcare outcomes given the 2021 National Patient Safety Goal of increasing the accuracy of patient identification. Although obstacles like human error and resource allocation exist, proactive steps like education and training, technological advancements, and the promotion of a safety culture can help overcome these obstacles and support the accomplishment of this significant patient safety goal in my workplace.
References
Riplinger, L., Piera-Jiménez, J., & Dooling, J. P. (2020). Patient Identification Techniques – Approaches, Implications, and Findings. Yearbook of Medical Informatics, 29(1), 81–86. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7442501/
Joint Commission. (2021). Hospital: 2021 National patient safety goals. http/www. jointcommission org/standards_information/npsgs. aspx Retrieved on, 5(20), 15.
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