Introduction

The purpose of the Automatic Identification and Data Capture for Patient Identification Data Set is to support the accurate, timely and, therefore, safer identification of NHS PATIENTS in England, by encoding the key PATIENT identifiers into a GS1 DataMatrix 2D barcode which is printed on the PATIENT identity band.

Implementation of this Information Standard enables subsequent processes involving the PATIENT and care provided to the PATIENT (where these processes are also uniquely identified and barcoded) to be automatically identified using Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) techniques, e.g. bed management, phlebotomy, theatre management and medications administration.

The Automatic Identification and Data Capture for Patient Identification Data Set provides an agreed national standard for how to encode a GS1 DataMatrix with the key PATIENT identifiers on the identity wristband and covers production, printing and verification rules for the barcode.

Further guidance can be found on the NHS England website at: DCB1077: AIDC for Patient Identification.

Mandation

The Mandation column indicates the recommendation for the inclusion of data.

• M = Mandatory: this data element is mandatory and the technical process (e.g. submission of the data set, production of output etc) cannot be completed without this data element being present
• R = Required: NHS business processes cannot be delivered without this data element
• O = Optional: the inclusion of this data element is optional as required for local purposes.