Authors: Bittle, Mark J.; Charache, Patricia; Wassilchalk, Daniel M.

Source: Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, Volume 33, Number 1, January 2007 , pp. 25-33(9)

Publisher: Joint Commission Resources

Abstract:

Background: Proper patient identification is a major factor affecting patient safety in any health care organization.

Methods: An interdisciplinary team, using three Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles, reviewed the incidence of patient misidentifications resulting from registration process errors. Retrospective and prospective data were collected to determine the incidence among inpatients and outpatients.

Results: Registration-associated patient misidentification errors occurred 7 to 15 times per month. Information systems deficiencies, inadequate training, and the lack of a single master patient index were among the root causes identified. After three PDSA cycles, the incidence rate for registration-associated patient misidentification errors declined for inpatients (80.5%) but increased for outpatients (30.2%).

Discussion: Through an iterative process as implied in the PDSA cycle, registration-associated patient misidentification errors for established Johns Hopkins Hospital patients were dramatically reduced. A checklist is provided for other organizations to assess their vulnerability to registration-associated patient misidentification errors. The checklist suggests, for example, that organizations strive to develop a single master patient index and limit access to registration systems to staff with proper training and performance expectations.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2007-01-01

More about this publication?

• Published monthly, The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety is a peer-reviewed publication dedicated to providing health professionals with the information they need to promote the quality and safety of health care. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety invites original manuscripts on the development, adaptation, and/or implementation of innovative thinking, strategies, and practices in improving quality and safety in health care. Case studies, program or project reports, reports of new methodologies or new applications of methodologies, research studies on the effectiveness of improvement interventions, and commentaries on issues and practices are all considered.
  
  Also known as Joint Commission Journal on Quality Improvement and Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Safety
• Editorial Board
• Information for Authors
• Subscribe to this Title
• Information for Advertisers
• Reprints and Permissions
• Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety - Author Index
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Medicine ,  Public Health
• By this author: Bittle, Mark J. ;  Charache, Patricia ;  Wassilchalk, Daniel M.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers