Brazosport Regional Health System Standardizes Uses of Wristbands - Volunteer Effort Protects Patients
Imagine this scenario: Hospital workers almost fail to rescue a patient who has a cardiopulmonary arrest because the patient had been incorrectly designated as DNR (do-not-resuscitate). The source of confusion was a yellow wristband placed on the patient by a nurse. In that hospital, a yellow wristband meant DNR. In a nearby hospital where the nurse also worked, yellow was used to indicate “restricted extremity,” meaning that the arm is not to be used for drawing blood or for an IV line. Fortunately, another nurse recognized the mistake, and the patient was resuscitated.
This “near miss” – which occurred in Pennsylvania in late 2005 and sparked a national discussion about how to prevent such errors, highlights why Brazosport Regional is joining other Texas hospitals to implement a voluntary standardized color-coded wristband patient safety initiative. The move in Texas to have all hospitals standardize to the same colors was initiated by the Texas Hospital Association in conjunction with the Texas Organization of Nurse Executives, Texas A&M Health Science Center Rural and Community Health Institute, and TMF Health Quality Institute.
“”This is one simple, but important, step to help ensure the safety of our patients, “said Candice Fonke, RN, MBA, Chief Nursing Officer at Brazosport Regional. “Each wristband, by virtue of its color, expresses a particular care directive for clinicians. With all hospitals agreeing to use the same colors, we can reduce the potential for error.”
Three color-coded “alert” wristbands are being used in Texas as well as in hospitals in more than 25 other states. Red means allergy alert. Yellow means a risk of falls. Purple means the physician has written a do-not-resuscitate order based on the patient’s advance directives. In addition to the meaning associated with the specific color, the alert is written on the wristband to reduce the chance of confusion.
“It’s important for patients and family members to understand the meaning behind the wristband colors,” points out Mrs. Fonke. “By knowing the meaning of the colored wristbands, you can help caregivers meet your needs,” she explained. “If you have allergies to foods, pollens or medications, share that information when you are admitted. If you have a tendency to lose your balance, tell your nurse. And if you have an advance directive, please let your caregivers know so that they can honor your wishes.”
It is also important that when you come to the hospital, you should leave any “social cause” wrist bands at home to avoid confusion. “Brazosport Regional is proud to join this statewide initiative. By working together, we can all improve patient safety,” said Mrs. Fonke.
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