BEGIN WITH THE PERSON, NOT THE SCANNER
Identification and order review protect the entire exam.
Patient identification answers, “Is this the person for whom the service is intended?” Order review answers, “What examination was requested, and why?” Both must agree before the examination moves forward.
Use at least two person-specific identifiers according to facility policy. Common examples are the patient's full name, date of birth, or medical record number. A room or bed number is a location, not a patient identifier.
When the patient can communicate, a useful approach is to ask them to state their information, then compare it with the wristband, order, and electronic record. Follow the facility's approved process for children, unconscious patients, patients with communication barriers, and patients whose identity is not yet known.
Identity verification, order review, and MR safety screening are connected, but they are not interchangeable.
A correct name does not confirm the correct exam. A correct order does not clear an implant or other MR hazard. Complete every required check and follow the site's final safety process before entering the controlled MR environment.
THE MATCH WORKFLOW
Use the same five steps before every MRI exam.
Compare two approved, person-specific identifiers with the order and patient record. Do not use room or bed location.
Confirm the requested exam, body region, laterality when applicable, contrast instructions, and required order details.
Read the clinical question and relevant history. The requested anatomy and protocol should make sense for the reason for imaging.
Pause when information is missing, inconsistent, or unclear. Use the approved path to contact the radiologist, ordering team, or other responsible clinician.
Communicate resolved changes and document according to policy so the next person works from the same accurate information.
TURN THE ORDER INTO A CLINICAL PLAN
Read beyond the exam name.
Check two identifiers and watch for similar names, duplicate records, temporary names, and demographic mismatches.
Confirm the anatomy, side when relevant, contrast direction, and any special instructions.
Connect the symptom, diagnosis, surgical history, injury, or follow-up need to the requested examination.
Compare the patient's description, written request, clinical history, and available prior information.
Identify missing clarification, authorization, laboratory information, contrast planning, or protocol direction required by the site.
Continue into the full screening process for implants, devices, foreign bodies, pregnancy considerations, clothing, and other hazards.
The technologist reviews the record and request to select an appropriate protocol for the clinical indication within professional scope and facility policy. A discrepancy is a reason to clarify, not a reason to silently rewrite the order.
THINK OF A BOARDING PASS
The person and destination must match.
An airline checks both the traveler and the trip. The name alone is not enough, and the destination alone is not enough. In MRI, the patient identifiers, exam request, and clinical reason must form one consistent story.
Remember: Two identifiers confirm who. The order and indication confirm what and why.
PATIENT CARE PRACTICE
Choose the safest next step.
The patient states their full name, and it matches the order. Is one identifier enough?
No. Use at least two approved person-specific identifiers according to facility policy, such as full name and date of birth or medical record number. The wristband is a source of information; the person-specific information on it is what identifies the patient.
The order says left knee, but the patient describes right-knee pain after a recent injury. What should happen?
Pause and clarify the discrepancy through the approved clinical pathway before scanning. Do not choose a side based only on assumption, and do not silently change the request.
A patient cannot communicate and has no family present. Can the exam proceed without identification?
Use the facility's approved identification process for noncommunicative or unknown patients. This may involve assigned temporary identifiers and confirmation from the care team. The exact process belongs to the organization.
The person, order, and indication all match. Is the patient now cleared for Zone IV?
No. Patient identification and order review do not replace the complete MR safety screening, preparation, and final check required by the facility.
LESSON 37 COMPLETE
You can confirm the patient, understand the requested exam, and recognize when clarification is required.Educational references
This lesson supports education and does not replace an order, clinical judgment, MR safety screening, professional scope requirements, or facility policy. Identification and order workflows vary by organization, patient condition, jurisdiction, and clinical setting.