When a patient walks through the doors of a hospital or urgent care center, one of the most critical steps in their care happens before any treatment begins: correct identification. It sounds simple, but hospital admissions is the first line of defense against medical errors, and getting it wrong can have serious, even life-threatening consequences. From delayed diagnoses to wrong-site surgeries and medication mix-ups, patient ID errors are more common than many realize. In fact, the World Health Organization considers misidentification a leading cause of adverse events in healthcare—even in high-tech, well-staffed facilities.
In this article, we’ll break down five of the most common patient identification errors that occur during hospital admissions and throughout the care process—and more importantly, how you can avoid them with practical tools and better protocols.
Patients with similar or identical names pose a significant risk for misidentification. In emergency departments, where time is critical, such mix-ups can lead to administering the wrong treatment to the wrong patient. A report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality highlights cases where patients with similar names were confused, resulting in incorrect procedures.
How to avoid it:
Laboratory errors often stem from either unlabeled or mislabeled specimens, leading to diagnostic inaccuracies. Such mistakes can result in patients receiving incorrect treatments or undergoing unnecessary procedures. The College of American Pathologists found that specimen identification errors occur in approximately 1 in every 1,000 cases.
How to avoid it:
Assigning temporary names like “Babyboy” or “Babygirl” to newborns can lead to identification errors, especially in cases of multiple births. A study published in Pediatrics showed that using more distinct temporary names, incorporating the mother’s name, reduced errors by over 36%.
How to avoid it:
While electronic systems like barcoded wristbands and EHRs are designed to reduce errors, they can introduce new risks if staff are not adequately trained. For instance, nurses may bypass barcode scanning procedures due to time constraints, leading to potential medication errors.
How to avoid it:
Skipping identity verification steps before procedures can result in serious errors, such as surgeries performed on the wrong patient or body part. The Joint Commission emphasizes the importance of time-outs and verification processes to prevent such “never events”.
How to avoid it:
Preventing patient ID errors isn’t just about training and protocol—it’s also about using the right tools. That’s where Nev’s Ink comes in. We supply high-quality, reliable medical labels and wristbands designed for the fast-paced, high-stakes healthcare environment. From barcoded patient wristbands to specimen labels, our products are built for clarity, durability, and seamless integration with EHR systems like Cerner and Meditech.
Do you want to optimize your workflow while reducing the risk of misidentification? Explore our patient care, patient identification, and admissions labels, and build smarter systems that support your staff and protect your patients.
