Correct Patient Identification [PS-01-EN]
Wrong patient, right harm: a root cause of serious adverse events worldwide. This course teaches every verification step and time-out ...
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Correct Patient Identification
Correct patient identification is one of the most important patient safety practices in healthcare.
Errors in patient identification can lead to medication errors, diagnostic mistakes, wrong procedures, delays in treatment, and serious patient harm. International patient safety standards recommend the consistent use of at least two patient identifiers before providing care, treatment, or services.
This practical course introduces the principles of correct patient identification and explains how healthcare professionals can reduce risks through simple, effective, and standardized identification practices.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain why patient identification is essential for patient safety;
- Apply the principles of using two patient identifiers;
- Recognize common identification errors and risks;
- Understand identification requirements before procedures, medication administration, specimen collection, and other clinical activities;
- Support safer healthcare delivery.
Start here
Correct Patient Identification
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2
Introduction -
3
Pre-test -
4
Chapter 1 · Why identification matters and the scale of harm
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5
Chapter 2 · The two-identifier rule
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6
Chapter 3 · What does NOT count as an identifier
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7
Chapter 4 · Identification at the point of care and specimen labelling
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8
Chapter 5 · Technology — barcodes and wristbands as support, not replacement
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9
Chapter 6 · Difficult situations and safeguards
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10
Chapter 7 · High-risk moments — transfusion, surgery, medication
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11
Post-test
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12
Your progress
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13
Conclusion
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14
Additional reading
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15
Certification test
Why is correct patient identification important?
Accurate patient identification is fundamental to patient safety. It prevents wrong‑patient medication administration, specimen mislabeling, and incorrect procedures. Using reliable identifiers at every point of care reduces clinical risk, supports continuity of care, and ensures that diagnostic and treatment decisions apply to the right person. The course explains how identification errors occur, common traps (e.g., room number reliance, look‑alike/sound‑alike names), and practical controls that embed safety into everyday workflows.
Who should take this course?
This beginner‑level course is designed for physicians, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, healthcare students, healthcare managers, and clinical support staff. It suits anyone involved in ordering, administering, documenting, transporting, or verifying care, including specimen collection and procedure preparation. Teams benefit when all roles share the same identification standards, so it works well for interdisciplinary learning and for staff in inpatient, outpatient, emergency, community, and laboratory settings.
Do I need previous knowledge or clinical experience?
No. The course is beginner‑friendly and assumes no prior formal training in patient safety. Basic familiarity with healthcare workflows is helpful but not required. Content focuses on fundamental principles, practical steps, and common clinical scenarios. It is appropriate for students and new staff as an introduction and for experienced professionals as a concise refresher on current standards and practices.
How long is the course and how is it delivered?
The course takes approximately 120 minutes to complete. It is fully online and self‑paced, so you can start, pause, and resume as your schedule allows. Short sections focus on key concepts such as two patient identifiers, medication safety checkpoints, specimen labeling at the bedside, and procedure verification. Learners can review examples and apply steps directly to their own clinical environment.
What topics are covered and what are the two patient identifiers?
The course covers correct patient identification, use of two identifiers, prevention of identification errors, medication safety, specimen collection safety, procedure verification, patient safety principles, and international standards. Two patient identifiers are independent data points that uniquely confirm identity—commonly full name and date of birth, or medical record number. Identifiers should be checked verbally (when possible) and against documentation or wristbands before medications, tests, specimen collection, procedures, handoffs, and transfers.
Will I receive CPD credits and a certificate?
Yes. On successful completion, you are eligible for 1 CPD credits and a Certificate of Completion. Acceptance of CPD credits may vary by regulator or professional body, so please confirm with your local authority or employer. The certificate can support professional development records, competency frameworks, and appraisal or revalidation documentation.
Are there assessments or requirements to pass?
The course is designed for practical learning. You must complete all modules to be eligible for the certificate and CPD credit. Short, low‑stakes knowledge checks may be included to reinforce key steps such as using two identifiers and labeling at the point of care. Some institutions may add a brief final quiz. Please refer to your platform’s course page for any specific passing criteria.
How is the content relevant to daily healthcare practice?
You will learn clear, repeatable steps that fit routine workflows: verifying two identifiers before medication administration, matching patient identity to lab requests and labeling at the bedside, conducting pre‑procedure time‑outs, reconciling identity during handovers, and documenting identifiers in the record. These practices reduce errors, support teamwork, and align personal habits with organizational safety policies and audits.
Does the course align with international patient safety standards?
Yes. The course introduces principles consistent with widely used international standards and guidance, such as those promoted by the World Health Organization and Joint Commission International. It emphasizes two identifiers, bar‑code/wristband use where available, specimen labeling at the point of collection, and procedure verification. Learners are encouraged to adapt these practices to their local regulations and institutional policies.
How will this course help reduce patient safety incidents?
By standardizing identity checks at every critical step, the course helps prevent wrong‑patient medication orders, misfiled results, mislabeled specimens, and wrong‑site or wrong‑person procedures. You will practice applying two identifiers, closing common gaps (e.g., interruptions, look‑alike names), and using checklists or time‑outs. These measures build reliable habits and system defenses that lower the risk of identification errors across diverse care settings.
Important Information
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Format: Self-paced online learning
- CPD Credits: 1
- Certificate of Completion available
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Course details
Duration
120m
Lectures
11
Quizzes
3
Level
Beginner
Certificate issued upon successful completion of all course requirements and passing the final assessment. This activity awards 0.5 CPD points. Issued jointly by: • Accréditation Sans Frontières (ASF) • Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG) • GMJ.ge Academy Technical support provided by Accreditation Canada – Georgia Office.
365 days
Desktop, Laptop, Tablet, Smartphone
Basic info
- Duration: 120 Minutes
- Format: Fully Online
- Level: Beginner
- CPD Credits: 1
- Certificate: Certificate of Completion
- Assessment: Short Quiz
Course requirements
- No prior training required
- Suitable for all healthcare professionals and students
- Internet access required
Intended audience
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Midwives
- Pharmacists
- Healthcare Students
- Clinical Support Staff
- Healthcare Managers
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