Patient misidentification can cost the average hospital $17.4 million annually in denied claims, according to a study by the Ponemon Institute, sponsored by Imprivata.
The survey polled 503 nurses, physicians, IT practitioners and CFOs across a number of U.S. healthcare facilities.
The respondents identified the following as the primary causes of patient misidentification:
• Incorrect patient identification at registration (i.e. incorrect armband placement): 63 percent
• Time pressure when treating patients: 60 percent
• Insufficient employee/clinician training and awareness: 35 percent
• Too many duplicate medical records in system: 34 percent
• Registrar errors (human errors): 32 percent
• Turf or silo issues across departments/workflows: 29 percent
• Inadequate safety procedures: 20 percent
• Over reliance on homegrown identification system: 15 percent
• Patient behavioral issues (misinformation): 9 percent
Note: Respondents were permitted to give three responses.