Match the Right Patient to DNR Order

Last summer, I proposed that POLST forms include a picture of the patient.  Library cards have included patron pictures for over a decade.  Driver's licenses much longer.  



Why did I make such a proposal?  Because there had been reports of healthcare workers linking the wrong POLST to the wrong patient.  It continues to happen.  For example, there is an ongoing inquest in the east midland city of Leicester.  



Paediatric registrar Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba told the hearing that she interrupted attempts to resuscitate Jack Adcock without checking his identity.  She thought that he was another child with a 'do not resuscitate' order.  Dr. Bawa-Garba explained, "what was important to me was not to resuscitate a child that was not to be resuscitated."