Which interventions are priorities for patient safety during care?

Using two patient identifiers, such as name and date of birth, is a critical intervention for ensuring patient safety during care. This practice helps to confirm that the right patient is receiving the correct treatment or procedure, thereby reducing the risk of medical errors. It is a standard safety protocol in healthcare facilities and aligns with best practices to prevent mix-ups that could lead to severe consequences. The use of two identifiers helps to establish a clear connection between the patient and their medical records, treatments, and medications, which is essential for maintaining patient safety and improving overall outcomes.

Other options lack the prioritization of established safety protocols that are evidenced to reduce errors significantly. For instance, proceeding with surgeries without a time-out fails to ensure that all team members agree on the patient's identity, the surgical site, and the procedure to be performed. This crucial step prevents potential catastrophic mistakes. Documentation using the SBAR format is important for effective communication but does not directly pertain to patient identification and immediate safety interventions. While using alarms to prevent falls is a necessary practice, the fundamental priority remains ensuring accurate patient identification before any procedures or treatments are initiated.