What is the significance of confirming a patient’s identity before administering medication?

What is the significance of confirming a patient’s identity before administering medication?

• A. To maintain a good relationship with the patient
• B. To avoid medication errors and ensure patient safety
• C. To keep a record of patient visits
• D. To ensure the medication is expensive

Answer: (B)

The significance of confirming a patient’s identity before administering medication primarily centers on patient safety and the prevention of medication errors. Accurately identifying the patient ensures that the right individual receives the correct medication, at the right dose, and through the appropriate route. This practice significantly reduces the risk of adverse drug events and enhances the overall quality of care. Confirming a patient's identity typically involves using two identifiers, such as their name and date of birth or medical record number. This step is particularly crucial in medical settings where multiple patients may have similar names or conditions, and it safeguards against mix-ups that could lead to administering medication to the wrong patient. In contrast, maintaining a good relationship with the patient or keeping a record of patient visits, while important aspects of healthcare, do not directly address the critical issue of patient safety. Similarly, the cost of medication is not a relevant factor in the verification process and does not contribute to ensuring that the appropriate patient receives the right treatment.

The significance of confirming a patient’s identity before administering medication primarily centers on patient safety and the prevention of medication errors. Accurately identifying the patient ensures that the right individual receives the correct medication, at the right dose, and through the appropriate route. This practice significantly reduces the risk of adverse drug events and enhances the overall quality of care.

Confirming a patient's identity typically involves using two identifiers, such as their name and date of birth or medical record number. This step is particularly crucial in medical settings where multiple patients may have similar names or conditions, and it safeguards against mix-ups that could lead to administering medication to the wrong patient.

In contrast, maintaining a good relationship with the patient or keeping a record of patient visits, while important aspects of healthcare, do not directly address the critical issue of patient safety. Similarly, the cost of medication is not a relevant factor in the verification process and does not contribute to ensuring that the appropriate patient receives the right treatment.