October
6, 2009
Mr.
Robert Michel
Editor
The
Dark Report
RE:
September 30 Dark Daily article, “Joint Commission Changes Requirement
for Patient ID Before Blood Draws”
The Joint Commission’s National Patient
Safety Goals are intended to help organizations focus their resources on important
issues that affect patient safety. Notably, patient identification has
been a top priority within the goals since they were first implemented in
2003. The goal contains the longstanding requirement to use at least two patient
identifiers, neither to be the room number or location. The goal further requires
labeling of collected specimens in the presence of the patient, i.e. at the
bedside.
The Joint Commission supports active patient
involvement as a best practice for patient identification. The deletion
of EP 1 from the National Patient Safety Goal related to patient identification
is not intended to discourage use of active patient involvement or minimize
its value. However, the requirement as written lacked enforceability and did
not adequately address managing patients who are not able to participate in
the identification process. These are the reasons for the deletion.
The Joint Commission will continue to recommend
the use of active patient involvement when patients are able to participate
in the identification process.
Sincerely,
Gail
E. Weinberger
Interim
Executive Director
Laboratory
Accreditation Program
The
Joint Commission
Kenneth A. Powers
Media Relations Manager
The Joint Commission
Website: www.jointcommission.org