A system for verifying patient identity is detailed which allows hospital personnel to reduce error in patient care due to misidentification of a patient. Broadly, an inventive system for verifying patient identity includes a machine readable wireless identification tag containing identification information, the tag attached to an identification badge worn by a patient, a device having data input and output capacity, processing circuitry, memory circuitry and an executable program for analysis of data transmitted from the tag, and a machine wireless reader in data communication with the tag and the device. Also included is a signal display element for displaying a signal to a user, the signal display element disposed on the device or the reader. Further, an alert system is provided for alerting hospital personnel to presence of an object or person having a machine readable wireless tag not associated with a first patient in proximity to the first patient.