Horn Memorial Hospital
takes patient safety very seriously and has many systems in place to make sure
that patients are properly identified from the point of admission to the time
they are discharged.
The first opportunity to
properly identify a patient is during the admission process. “If you are a patient age 16 years or older, you
will be asked to present photo identification during the admission process,”
explains Carrie Arens, Horn Memorial Hospital Revenue Cycle Director. “If you
do not have photo identification with you, we will continue with the admission
process, and you will be asked to bring photo identification with you to your
next visit.” For patients unable to
admit themselves, a family member will be asked to provide the patient’s photo
identification and all other information required at admission.
Acceptable forms of photo
identification include a state driver’s license, state identification card,
tribal identification card, United States uniformed service identification
card, a Passport, or a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card). In addition to a photo, the identification
card should include your first and last name, middle initial, and date of
birth. Any Iowa resident may request a
photo identification card at the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) service
center; there is no age limit to apply for the card. Applicants will be asked
to provide proof of name, identity and United States citizenship, as well as
date of birth and social security number.
At Horn Memorial Hospital,
once we have properly identified you during the admission process, the admitting
staff will place an armband on your wrist. This armband includes unique patient
identifying information such as: your name and date of birth, your admitting
physician’s name, your unique medical record number, and the date of service.
The next step of proper
patient identification occurs every time you come in contact with hospital
personnel. The staff of Horn Memorial will ask your name and date of birth
before administering any medical service or procedure, and before administering
medications or blood products.
“We know that this
process may seem cumbersome and unnecessary for a small town hospital, where we
know so many of our patients,” says Arens. “However, the procedures are
standard practices in all medical facilities throughout the country. The
systems are in place to protect all patients and we train our staff to follow
the steps with each and every person.”
“When you enter our
hospital for services, be prepared to present your personal identification and
be patient with our staff when they verify your identity throughout your care
in our facility,” said Arens. “We strive to provide high quality, compassionate
health care to all of our patients. Patient
safety is our highest priority.”
