Ohio Hospitals Set Wristband Standards
The Ohio Patient Safety Institute (OPSI) convened an effort to address the possibilities for confusion among healthcare providers about the significance of patient wristbands. According to a press release from the Ohio Hospital Association, there is an effort underway to standardize wristbands throughout healthcare facilities in the State.
The Ohio group noted the number of colored wristbands (19 different colors, 29 different meanings) used at different facilities, which may not be the same across institutions. This can create confusion when patients are transferred between facilities. It can be equally as problematic for healthcare providers who work at more than one institution, creating confusion about the significance of the bands.
In response to such, the group initiated an effort to standardize the color of wristbands, as well as eliminating a huge array of possible colors and permutations of meaning. This effort is a step toward the OPSI goal of eliminating the wristbands in favor of electronic tracking systems to relay the same information.
Until implementation of technology based standards, the group is recommending that only four different wristbands be used across the healthcare setting. Each one communicates a unique need that is important in patient care. Accordingly, white or clear wristbands are exclusively used for patient identification. Red bands indicate allergy risk, yellow indicate fall risk. Green wristbands communicate blood product.
At this time, the group did not make any recommendations about wristbands for patients who are DNR. The State of Ohio already has legislation that requires those bands to be white with a DNR logo, but those laws are currently under review.
OPSI hopes to encourage full compliance by September 1st this year. Efforts are underway with healthcare facilities across the state, including hospitals, long term care facilities, outpatient surgical centers, and home health agencies, among others to implement the standard.
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August 13, 2007 Related topics: Partnerships & Consortia, Quality, Safety, Errors