Recommendations for the unequivocal identification of the newborn

Abstract Newborn identification is a legal right recognised by international and national laws. Moreover, improving the accuracy of correct patient identification is an important goal of patient safety solutions programmes. In this article, the Standards Committee of the Spanish Society of Neonatology establishes recommendations to ensure correct identification of the newborn whilst in hospital. Currently, the most reliable method of identification of the newborn is the combination of identification cord clamp and bracelets (mother bracelet, newborn bracelet and cord clamp with the same number and identical and exclusive barcode system for each newborn) and the collection of maternal and umbilical cord blood samples (for DNA testing only for identification purposes).