Which two pieces of information are included in patient identifiers?

Patient identifiers are crucial pieces of information used to accurately identify individuals in a healthcare setting. The combination of name and date of birth serves as a reliable method for distinguishing patients, as these details are unique to each individual and provide a clear reference point.

In a healthcare environment, it is essential to minimize the risk of mixes-up or misidentifications that could lead to errors in treatment or record-keeping. Therefore, a patient's name is not only essential for recognizing who the patient is, but their date of birth adds an additional layer of verification that ensures the correct medical records and treatments are aligned with the right patient.

While other options present additional relevant information, they may not be as universally reliable as the combination of name and date of birth for identification purposes across diverse healthcare scenarios. For instance, phone numbers can change, social security numbers may be protected under privacy laws, and addresses can frequently update, reducing their effectiveness as identifiers compared to name and date of birth.