MRN
Medical abbreviation · Medical Documentation
| Stands for | Medical record number |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
MRN stands for Medical record number, a medical documentation abbreviation.
Unique identifier assigned by a hospital or health system to each patient, used on wristbands, labels, orders and records. It links all of a patient's encounters within the organization.
Example: Verify name, DOB and MRN on specimen label before sending to lab.
Usage notes
Two identifiers, such as name and date of birth, are required before treatments or tests, a Joint Commission patient safety goal; MRN is a common second identifier. Different hospitals assign different MRNs, so merged records can create duplicates. Encounter or visit numbers differ from the MRN.
Related abbreviations
More medical documentation abbreviations
- ISBAR – Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
- IVDA – Intravenous drug abuse
- IVDU – Intravenous drug use
- Ix – Investigations
- LOS – Length of stay
- MDM – Medical decision making
- Mx – Management
- N/V/D – Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- NFA – No further action
- NOK – Next of kin
- NOS – Not otherwise specified
- O/E – On examination
See all 79 medical documentation abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.