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Managing patients with identical names in the same ward
Anselm C W Lee1, Mona Leung, K T So
1Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Tuen Mun Hospital, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
Summary
Managing patients with identical names in the same ward is challenging. Implementing automated alerts significantly improved patient identification and record accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Patient Safety
- Medical Informatics
Background:
- Managing patients with identical names in the same healthcare setting presents significant patient safety risks.
- High prevalence of shared names in certain populations necessitates robust identification protocols.
Observation:
- A five-month review of two patients with identical names in the same ward identified no clinical errors but noted misplaced records.
- A survey indicated healthcare professionals found implemented identification measures effective, particularly automated alerts.
Findings:
- Despite no clinical errors, 0.9% of patient records were misplaced.
- 53% of sampled patients shared common full names with others in the hospital.
- Automated alerting systems in electronic clinical management systems received high praise for enhancing patient identification.
Implications:
- Identical patient names pose a challenge in healthcare, requiring specific guidelines to prevent misidentification.
- Errors in filing patient notes and reports need further investigation and improved systems.
- Technological solutions, like automated alerts, are crucial for safeguarding patient identification and improving healthcare delivery.