title: Patient identification: the foundation for a culture of patient safety.
abstract: Patients, consumer advocacy groups, and regulatory and accrediting bodies have spoken out about the importance of patient safety in the health care environment. Understandably, patient safety is a leading concern for both consumers and health care providers. These efforts have encouraged health care organizations and providers to review and revise, as necessary, routine practices that contribute to a culture of patient safety and avoid medical errors. This article outlines the process and outcome of a performance improvement initiative to develop a standard patient identification policy.
authors.affiliation: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Lenard L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Parisi
mesh_terms: D002173:Cancer Care Facilities / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009519:New York City; D015279:Organizational Culture; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D010355:Patient Identification Systems; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods*