When administering medications, what is the best practice regarding patient identification?

The best practice for patient identification when administering medications is to check the patient’s wristband and ask them to confirm their identity. This method ensures a high level of accuracy in confirming the patient’s identity. By simultaneously checking the wristband, which typically contains crucial identifying information such as the patient's name and date of birth, and asking the patient to confirm this information, medication technicians can minimize the risk of administering the wrong medication to the wrong patient.

This approach involves corroborating information through multiple sources, which is a fundamental safety measure in healthcare. By actively engaging the patient in the identification process, the technician not only verifies the identity but also empowers the patient, making them a part of their own care.

Using verbal identification alone without cross-referencing with available records can lead to errors, especially if the patient misremembers names or details. Relying on staff assumptions about a patient can compromise safety, as miscommunication or lapses in knowledge can occur. Similarly, using the medical record number alone does not involve direct confirmation with the patient, which is critical for ensuring the right individual receives the right medication.