Patient number (person with #)
The standard’s wording, as the sources below reproduce it:
“Indicates a unique number associated with an individual patient.”
ISO 15223-1:2021, 5.7.1 · ISO 7000-2610
What it means for you
The number written next to it identifies you in the hospital’s or study’s records — a hospital number or a study participant number.
Whether a device is right for you is a question for your pharmacist, nurse or doctor.
- What it looks like
- A standing figure with a # sign beside it, next to a space for a number.
- Where you see it
- Implant cards given to patients after an implant (EU MDR Article 18), and some patient-specific labels. Also clinical-study samples.
- Other names
- patient ID number; figure with hash
What it does not tell you
It does not say whose numbering system it is; ask the hospital that filled it in.
Often confused with
Indicates the identification data of the patient.
More symbols in “A person or a heart”
Patient name (name card)ISO 15223-1:2021, 5.7.2Health care centre or doctor (doctor with a cross)ISO 15223-1:2021, 5.7.5Type B applied part (figure)IEC 60417-5840Type BF applied part (figure in a square)IEC 60417-5333Type CF applied part (heart in a square)IEC 60417-5335Defibrillation-proof type B applied part (figure with side marks)IEC 60417-5841Defibrillation-proof type BF applied part (figure in a square with side marks)IEC 60417-5334Defibrillation-proof type CF applied part (heart in a square with side marks)IEC 60417-5336
Sources
ISO 15223-1 is a paid standard, so the wording above is quoted as 3 publishers’ public documents reproduce it. Each was fetched and read on the date shown:
- NE Scientific: Master Symbol Glossary (CTF-100011 Rev 01) — Shows the figure with # for reference no. 5.7.1 (ISO 7000-2610): “Indicates a unique number associated with an individual patient.” Checked 2026-09-28.
- Cook Medical: Glossary of standard symbols — ISO 15223-1 5.7.1 “Patient Number — Indicates a unique number associated with an individual patient.” Checked 2026-09-28.
- STERIS: STERIS Product Labeling, SCS-145, Exhibit A: Symbol Glossary — Lists “Patient number”, I.S. EN ISO 15223-1:2021 5.7.1, with the same explanatory text. Checked 2026-09-28.
Plain-language parts are in our own words; quotations are the sources’ wording.