At what points of care must patient identification be verified according to National Patient Safety Goals?

Patient identification verification is a critical aspect of ensuring safety in healthcare delivery, and according to the National Patient Safety Goals, it must occur at several key points of care. The correct answer emphasizes that patient identification must be verified at the time of admission, during treatment, and before procedures.

This systematic approach is designed to prevent errors such as administering the wrong medication, performing the wrong procedure, or providing care to the wrong patient, all of which can have serious consequences. By verifying the patient’s identity consistently throughout their care journey, healthcare providers encourage a culture of safety and accountability.

Points of care such as admission, treatment, and pre-procedure are crucial because they are times when critical decisions are made or actions are taken that directly impact patient health. Each of these phases involves different staff members and potentially different procedures, making it essential to continually verify the patient's identity to safeguard against mix-ups.

The other options do not encompass the full range of critical touchpoints required for comprehensive patient identification verification, thereby missing essential moments when errors could potentially occur.