Pt identifiers

[jamst149]

As a student my clinical instructors really get on us about this. I'm often asking the same 2 people time and time again what their name and bday are and they look at me like I'm stupid. I would probably do the same if some nimrod kept asking me that too. On a side not it tells me not many nurses out there are checking identifiers. So I guess I am wondering who does do this on a regular basis (everytime they give meds to the same person over a 2-3 day period?) and if there are any more creative ways of doing this or more subtle ways perhaps.

Kind of moot as my hospital will be barcoding soon but just wondering.

[queenjean]

We barcode, too. I ask them their name and date of birth at the time I do their initial assessment and check it against their band. Then I don't do that the rest of the noc, because we scan the ban for the barcode.

Just explain to your patients that you are still a student, and that your instructors expect this of you. You might mention to them that in some places nurses must take care of several patients, so they have to just develop the habit of always asking name and date of birth, and that your instructor requires it of you. Most patients understand. People understand that you have to jump through some pretty funky hoops sometimes.

[natsfanrn]

I do this each and every time I give a med or do a procedure...it's mandatory at our hospital and grounds for immediate firing if you don't do it (managers do rounds on our patients and ask if the staff have been properly using identifiers). Everyone in our hospital system is required to do this, including dietary (when bringing up trays), physical and occupational therapy, CAs/CTs when doing vitals and such, and, of course, the nurses. (Hmmm...come to think of it, the docs DON'T do it!!!)

Yes, I sometimes feel like an idiot doing it, especially when I've had the patient for a long period of time and I was just in their room chatting on a first-name basis with them a few minutes ago, but I explain to the patients that we are doing it for their own safety. I joke with the patients about it (I like to ask them for their credit card number after their name and birthdate), and I've had more than a few give me fake names just to keep me on my toes, but they always understand and seem to appreciate the effort to keep them safe. We've even gotten quite a few comments on our discharge surveys to this effect.

I might add that this policy was initiated several years ago when there was a fatality at another hospital d/t an identification mixup. When you have 5 or 6 patients (or more), there is always the potential for giving the wrong meds (or doing the wrong procedure) to the wrong patient.... no matter how familiar you are with the person. Never hurts to do an extra check at the bedside.

[Lisa CCU RN, RN]

I personally don't care how big of a nimrod I look like, I ask my patients this info each and every time I do anything to them.

I have not even taken NCLEX yet and I've seen three docs walk into the wrong room, looking at the wrong patient's chart, and even had a doc give upsetting results to the wrong patient!

I'd rather repeat myself than make a mistake.

[peridotgirl]

Hello there. I'm a student Practical Nurse and when I resume clinicals, my teacher told me that the class is going to start giving meds to the pts. I have a question. What if the pt is disoriented and cannot answer to his/her own birthdate and/or name/. What do you then? Do u just check the ID bracelet against the MAR and pt's chart? thank you.

[Lisa CCU RN, RN]

Sounds good to me.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I would explain to the patient each time I come that I am asking because I am a nursing student and this is required.

Real world nursing; most I know check the ID band and ask for name and date of birth the first time and from there, don't usually do it again, unless they are about to do a risky procedure.

What I used to do when I was in psych is to have a list of the patients because I was assigned to monitor where they were every half hour, and would write a note on what the patient was wearing so that I would remember.

[mcknis]

Always good to ask name and DOB, and its even a JCAHO safe initiative goal every years for the past umpteen years! As a student, I always check because I have caught myself giving the right med to the right person. Scary stuff! I do realize that some do and some don't but it is good practice. If the pt is confused/disoriented, then you should check the armband, but as soon as family/friends arrive, check with them about the ID of the pt. Always better to be safe than sorry. Can't wait til many places go to armband ID.