What should be done to ensure proper patient identification before an imaging study?

Confirming a patient's identity using two identifiers, such as their name and date of birth, is a crucial step to ensure patient safety and accuracy before any imaging study. This two-step verification process aligns with best practices in healthcare, which recognize the risk of misidentification. Utilizing more than one piece of identifying information minimizes the potential for errors that can arise from relying on a single identifier.

Relying solely on one piece of information, like asking only for a birth date, can lead to confusion, especially in settings where multiple patients may share the same birthday. While checking an insurance card or using an appointment schedule can aid in confirming a patient's identity, they should not be the only means of identification. Insurance cards may present outdated or incorrect information, and an appointment schedule alone does not provide a direct link to the specific individual being treated. Therefore, the best practice is to confirm identity using two reliable identifiers to ensure that the correct patient receives the intended imaging service.