This guide contains all the Patient Identification Number Input and Display design guidelines (mandatory and recommended) accompanied by example diagrams to illustrate their application. Although offered as a quick reference to already familiar guidance, you may also find this guide useful for exploring areas of the guidance that are new to you.

Remember that this guide is not a replacement for the definitive version which includes further usage examples (showing both correct and incorrect application) and details the rationale behind the guidance.

Purpose of this Guidance

The patient identification number is a unique identifier that makes it possible to share patient information across the clinical organization safely, efficiently and accurately. Unambiguous display enhances patient safety and application usability by enabling rapid correlation with paper records and forms.

Note This guide contains some examples explicitly derived from research in the UK. Whilst you should adhere to the underlying principles, disregard any country-specific detail if it is not appropriate for your locale. Ensure that your clinical application adheres to the requirements of the location where it will be used.

This version of the Patient Identification Number Input and Display guide is based on the full guidance document Design Guidance - Patient Identification Number Input and Display (v2.0.0.0) - PDF