What is Correct Identification and Procedure Matching?
Correct identification and procedure matching involves verifying patients' identities and ensures that each person receives the intended procedure and/or treatment. This process is critical in avoiding patient misidentification and incorrect procedure administration, which can lead to serious adverse events. National Safety and Quality in Health Service Action 6.05 states, "… at least three approved identifiers on registration and admission; when care, medication, therapy and other services are provided; and when clinical handover, transfer or discharge documentation is generated” (NSQHS 2021).
Patient identifiers may include:
- Patient name (family and given names)
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Address (including postcode)
- Healthcare record number
- Individual Healthcare Identifier
(NSQHS 2021)
(Ballarat Health Services 2020)
Importance of Correct Identification and Procedure Matching
Correct patient identification and procedure matching is crucial in maintaining patient safety, minimising harm, and enhancing positive health outcomes for the patient. It is a core component of healthcare, where quality improvement and governance must always be a top priority
What is the "Correct Identification and Procedure Matching" Training Requirement?
Correct identification and procedure matching training is mandated to ensure healthcare professionals have the knowledge and skills necessary to identify patients and accurately match them with the correct procedures. This training encompasses understanding the policies, procedures, and tools used in patient identification and the importance of this process in patient safety.
Relevant Standards
The organisation:
- Defines approved identifiers for patients according to best-practice guidelines
- Requires at least three approved identifiers on registration and admission; when care, medication, therapy and other services are provided; and when clinical handover, transfer or discharge documentation is generated
The organisation specifies the:
- Processes to correctly match patients to their care
- Information should be documented about the process of correctly matching patients to their intended care
National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards
Failure to comply with the requirements could lead to an organisation being penalised or reprimanded.
Related Training Requirements Guides
The following Training Requirement guides can be used to support and facilitate the "standard and transmission-based precautions" training requirement:
What Skills Do Staff Need for Correct Identification and Procedure Matching?
Healthcare staff need a comprehensive set of skills for effective identification and procedure matching, which is crucial for maintaining patient safety and reducing errors. These skills go beyond the basics of patient interaction, encompassing a thorough understanding of the healthcare system's protocols and the ability to adapt to various scenarios where patient identification could be challenging.
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Attention to detail | Important for checking patient information accurately, ensuring no detail is overlooked. |
| Communication skills | Vital for interacting clearly and effectively with patients and colleagues, facilitating accurate patient handover. |
| Critical thinking | Enables staff to assess risk and make informed decisions to ensure accurate patient identification and procedure matching is done correctly. |
| Adaptability | Allows healthcare professionals to adjust to different patient needs and identification scenarios, enhancing the flexibility of care. |
| Technology proficiency | Necessary for operating patient identification systems and electronic health records. |
| Teamwork | Collaboration among healthcare professionals is needed to ensure accurate patient identification. |
| Empathy | Recognising patient concerns and fears, especially in stressful situations where identification errors can be made. |
How to Assess Staff in Correct Identification and Procedure Matching
Assessing staff competency through practical evaluations is crucial for maintaining high patient safety standards.
- Observation of practice: Allows for real-time assessment of skills in a clinical setting.
- Simulation exercises: Provide a realistic environment to test and improve staff's practical patient identification and procedure matching skills.
- Assessment: Assess the theoretical understanding of policies and procedures related to patient identification.
- Peer reviews: Encourage a collaborative environment for sharing best practices and learning from others' experiences.
- Feedback sessions: Offer constructive feedback and guidance for continuous skill improvement.
- Self-assessment: Enable staff to reflect on their practices and identify areas for self-improvement.
- Incident analysis: Review and learn from past identification errors.
Strategies to Support Healthcare Staff Develop Skills in Correct Identification and Procedure Matching
By regularly refreshing their knowledge and skills, healthcare workers can stay up-to-date on the latest developments in patient safety and ensure that their practices continue to meet and exceed the standards required for quality care.
- Regular training: Keeps staff updated on best practices and new patient identification and procedure matching developments.
- Simulation-based training: Bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, enhancing the practical skills of healthcare professionals.
- Mentorship programs: Pair less experienced staff with expert professionals for hands-on learning and guidance.
- Technology: Provide training on the latest identification technologies and systems for efficient and accurate patient tracking within the health facility.
- Culture of safety: Foster an environment where safety is prioritised, and staff are encouraged to report and learn from mistakes without fear of retribution.
- Performance: Recognise and reward staff who consistently demonstrate excellence in patient identification and safety practices.
Sample Training Plan for the "Correct Identification and Procedure Matching" Requirement
Below is a skills assessment that to identify gaps in staff knowledge that a training plan can be created for:
Using the above needs assessment survey as an example, the skill requiring the most attention for correct identification and procedure matching in healthcare is communication skills. We can target learning initiatives to fill these gaps and enhance staff competency.
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Staff Competency Assessment for Correct Identification and Procedure Matching - Example
Consider the following survey questions to evaluate staff's knowledge in correct identification and procedure matching.
Staff Survey - Correct Identification and Procedure Matching Competency
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How do you verify a patient's identity before proceeding with any treatment or procedure?
- [Answer here]
-
Describe a situation where you had to ensure the correct procedure matching for a patient. How did you approach it?
- [Answer here]
-
What strategies do you employ to reduce the risk of misidentification in your daily practice?
- [Answer here]
Conclusion
Developing and maintaining competency in correct identification and procedure matching is crucial for patient safety. Through dedicated training, regular competency assessments, and ongoing support for skill enhancement, healthcare organisations can ensure that their staff are well-equipped to perform these critical tasks effectively.
References
- Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, 2023. 'Communicating for Safety Standard'
- Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, 2023. 'NSQHS Action 6.05'
- Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, 2023. 'NSQHS Action 6.06'
- Ballarat Health Services 2020, Communicating for Safety Patient identification and Porocedure Matching Clinical handover and ISBAR Orientation 2020, online video, 6 April, viewed 28 August 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvG670GX8kc
