All practices should have a patient identification process using at least three patient identifiers. All practice staff need to be trained to check patient identifiers as a matter of course.
- Name (family and given names)
- Date of Birth
- Gender (as identified by the patient)
- Address
- Patient Record Number (if applicable)
Correct patient identification is vital for your patients' safety and confidentiality. You should never assume that you have the correct patient record even when dealing with familiar patients. Always ask the patient to state their name, date of birth and address rather than volunteering the information and asking them to confirm it.
Note: A Medicare Card is not an approved patient identifier.
Tip: It can be helpful to have a sign at reception explaining to the patient why they are always being asked to identify themselves.
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