Citation

Robinson G, Fortune JB, Wachtel TL, Frank HA, Long WB. J. Trauma 1985; 25(4): 333-336.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1985, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3989892

Abstract

Many patients are admitted to emergency facilities without positive identification. In the past, these patients were usually assigned a temporary alias name (i.e., John Doe, Jane Doe) which was then changed after positive identification. We have discerned several problems with this procedure and have subsequently developed a coordinated system of alias identification in our hospital. This system allows for: a large pool of distinct alias identities, pre-assignment of hospital numbers to unidentified patients before arrival, and a smooth administrative transition as records are changed from the alias to the true identity.