Implementation Tool Kit
Color-coded
Wristband
Standardization
in Oregon
Sponsored by:
“Patient safety is our first priority”
Distributed June 2007
Address: 4000 Kruse Way Place #2-100 • Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035 Phone: 503-636-2204 Online: www.oahhs.org
© Copyright 2006 Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association.
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Background / Oregon Survey..................................................4-5
Recommendations for Adoption
The Colors.............................................................................7-11
Risk Reduction Strategies...................................................12-13
Work Plan – How to Implement
Work Plan Guide.................................................................15-16
Task Charts.........................................................................17-26
Staff & Patient Education Materials
Staff Education –Training Tips.............................................28-36
The Tools.............................................................................37-54
Staff Brochure.....................................................................47-48
Patient Brochure.................................................................49-50
FAQs....................................................................................51-53
PowerPoint with Speaker Notes.............................................. 54
Policy and Procedure
Sample P & P......................................................................56-59
Patient Refusal Form................................................................ 60
Vendor Information.................................................................61-62
Acknowledgements
Workgroup................................................................................ 64
Sponsorship and Partners....................................................... 65
The Big Picture - WRAPS....................................................66-67
St. John Products...................................................................68-86
© Copyright 2006 Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Executive Summary
“Patient safety is our first priority”
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Executive Summary — June 2007
In December 2005, a patient safety advisory was issued
from the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System
that received national attention. This advisory brought to
surface an incident that occurred in a hospital in which
clinicians nearly failed to rescue a patient who had a
cardiopulmonary arrest because the patient had been
incorrectly designated as “DNR” (Do Not Resuscitate).
Most of us can imagine this type of near miss occurring
in any institution. Consider these statistics regarding
hospital staff:
• In 2004, Oregon hospitals reported an RN vacancy
rate of 4.2 %.
• The same survey reports hospital turnover rate for RNs
as 9.1%.
The source of confusion was a nurse that had incorrectly
placed a yellow wristband on the patient. In that hospital
a yellow wristband meant DNR. In a nearby hospital,
where the nurse also worked, yellow meant “restricted
extremity” which was what she wanted to alert staff
about. Fortunately in this case, another nurse recognized
the mistake and the patient was resuscitated.
• Many hospitals in the state are using Registry or
Traveler RNs to staff vacant positions
The potential for confusion is obvious, significant, and
avoidable.
We wanted to assess if this was a potential for harm
in Oregon. In November 2006, surveys were sent to
hospital QI Directors and Patient Safety Officers asking
questions related to Color-coded Wristbands. The
results were concerning; seven different colors/methods
are being used in Oregon to convey allergy status and
four colors/methods are being used to convey DNR.
Figure 1: Color-coded Wristbands
What color wristband do you use for
“Allergy Status?” N= 57
40%
25%
10%
7%
No Band
Red
Yellow
Blue
7%
7%
2%
2%
Orange
Green
Pink
Purple
Seven different colors/
methods are being used
throughout Oregon to convey
Allergy status.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Executive Summary
continued
The Arizona model is being used to standardize colorcoded wristbands in Oregon.
Consensus was reached with the Oregon hospital quality
directors to add pink to indicate “Restricted Extremity” for
our state.
Insanity: doing
the same thing
over and over
again and
expecting a
different result.
The information that follows in this kit will guide your
organization through:
1. The colors for the alert designation and logic for the
colors selected
2. Work plan for implementation
3. Staff education including competencies
~A. Einstein
4. FAQs for general distribution
5. Sample policy and procedure
6. Vendor information for easy adoption of the
recommendation
7. Patient education brochure
Our safety as a state and success in this effort will depend on the participation
and adoption of each and every hospital in this state. This effort will require a willingness to change for the greater good. Some hospitals will have a minor change while
others may have a major change. We realize that change is difficult; we also realize
that change made for reasons that benefit the safety of your staff, your loved ones and
your communities are changes for all the right reasons.
To access the Patient Safety Advisory report go to:
http://www.psa.state.pa.us/psa/lib/psa/advisories/v2_s2_sup__advisory_dec_14_2005.pdf
To access the full survey results go to:
http://www.orhospitalquality.org
“Patient safety is our first priority”
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Recommendations
for Adoption
“Patient safety is our first priority”
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Recommendations for Adoption – June 2007
Do Not Resuscitate
Recommendation:
healthcare providers working in hospitals are not
hospital based staff, it is imperative that current
processes take this into consideration. Registry
and traveler staff may not be familiar with how to
access information (as in the use of computerized
charts), may not be familiar with where to find
information in the medical record, or even where
to find the medical record. When seconds count,
as in a code situation, we believe having an alert
wristband on the patient will serve as a great tool.
Similar to a second identifier, it will serve as a ready
communication in a crisis situation, an evacuation
situation, or in a transit situation.
It is recommended that hospitals adopt the color of
purple for the Do Not Resuscitate designation with
the letters embossed / printed on the wristband,
“DNR.”
While there is much discussion regarding the
issue of “to band or not to band,” a literature review
to date has not identified a better intervention
conclusively. One may say, “In the good old
days, we just looked at the chart and didn’t band
patients at all,” however, those days consisted of
a workforce base that was largely employed by
the hospital. Because an increasing number of
FAQs
Q. We don’t use wristbands for DNRs at this
Q. Why not use Blue?
hospital. Why should we consider adopting this?
A. At first blue was considered a great color choice;
A. Wristbands are used in many Oregon hospitals
however, many hospitals utilize “Code Blue” to
summon the resuscitation team. By also having the
DNR wristband as “no code” there was the potential
to create confusion. “Does blue mean we code or do
not code?” To avoid creating any second guesses in
this critical moment, we opted to not use blue.
to communicate an alert. Registry staff, travelers,
non-clinical staff, etc. may be unaware of where to
look in the medical record if they are new to your
hospital. By having a wristband on, a quick warning is
communicated so anyone could know about this alert.
Additionally, it is also a means to communicate to the
family that we are clear about their end of life wishes.
By not having a band on, errors of omission could
potentially be created.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Q.Why not Green?
Calling CODE BLUE!
A. Again, we considered this color as well, however,
Is used by 50% of Oregon hospitals to
call a code team.
due to color blindness concerns it was decided to
avoid it altogether. Also, in other industries, the color
green often has a “Go Ahead” connotation, such as
traffic lights. We again want to avoid any possibility
of sending “mixed messages” in a critical moment.
Green is currently used in several Oregon hospitals to
indicate a trauma patient.
If Oregon selected the color blue for
the DNR wristband, the potential for
confusion exists.
“Does blue mean I code or I do not
code?”
Q. So,
if we adopt the purple DNR wristband then do
we still need to look in the chart?
A. Yes. Some hospitals do not use wristbands for DNRs
because they want the chart to be reviewed first for
the most current code designation. However, that
practice should be the practice in all cases - whether
a wristband is being used or not. Code status can
change throughout a hospitalization. It is important to
know the current status so the patient’s and families
wishes can be honored.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Recommendations for Adoption – June 2007
Allergy Alert
Recommendation:
It is recommended that hospitals adopt the color of RED for the Allergy Alert designation with the words
embossed / written on the wristband, “Allergy Alert.”
FAQs
Q. Why did you select red?
Q. Do we write the allergies on the wristband too?
A. Red was selected due to the November 2006 survey
A. It is our recommendation that allergies be written in
the medical record according to your hospital’s policy
and procedure. We suggest allergies not be written on
the wristband for several reasons:
conducted with Oregon hospitals that indicated 25%
of hospitals already use the color red. It just made
sense to continue with an established color that has
such overwhelming use.
Q. A re there any other reasons for
using red?
A. Yes there are. Our research of other
industries tells us that red has an
association that implies extreme
concern. The American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) has
designated certain colors with very
specific warnings. ANSI uses red to
communicate “Stop!” or “Danger!”
We think that message should hold
true for communicating an allergy
status. When a caregiver sees a red
allergy alert band they are prompted
to “STOP!” and double check if the
patient is allergic to the medication,
food, or treatment they are about to
receive.
Quick Adoption
By adopting red
for allergy alert,
the standardization
for this is easily
achieved since 25%
of Oregon hospitals
already use red for
allergy alert.
1. Legibility may hinder the correct
interpretation of the allergy listed;
2. By writing allergies on the wristband
someone may assume the list is
comprehensive. However, space is limited
on a wristband and some patients have in
excess of 12 or more allergies. The risk is
that some allergies would be inadvertently
omitted – leading to confusion or missing
an allergy;
3. Throughout a hospitalization, allergies may
be discovered by other caregivers, such
as dieticians, radiologists, pharmacists,
etc. This information is typically added
to the medical record and not always
a wristband. By having one source of
information to refer to, such as the medical
record, staff of all disciplines will know
where to add newly discovered allergies.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Recommendations for Adoption – June 2007
Fall Risk
Recommendation:
It is recommended that hospitals adopt the color of YELLOW for the Fall Risk Alert designation with the
words embossed / written on the wristband, “Fall Risk.”
FAQs
Q. Why did you select yellow?
3. Of those who fall, 20% to
Falls account
30% suffer moderate to
severe injuries that reduce
for more than
mobility and independence,
70 percent of
and increase the risk of
the total injurypremature death.
related health
4. The total cost of all fall
cost among
injuries for people age 65
people 60
or older in 1994 was $27.3
years of age
billion (in current dollars).
5. By 2020, the cost of fall
and older.
injuries is expected to reach
$43.8 billion (in current
dollars). Hospital admissions
for hip fractures among
people over age 65 have
steadily increased, from
230,000 admissions in 1988
to 338,000 admissions in
1999.
6. The number of hip fractures
is expected to exceed
500,000 by the year 2040. As the aging population
enters the acute care environment, one must
consider the risk that is present and do all possible to
communicate that to hospital staff. For more information
about falls and related statistics, go to: http://www.cdc.
gov/ncipc/factsheets/fallcost.htm
A. Our research of other industries tells us that yellow
has an association that implies “Caution!” Think of the
traffic lights; proceed with caution or stop altogether is
the message with yellow lights. The American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) has designated certain
colors with very specific warnings. ANSI uses yellow to
communicate “Tripping or Falling hazards.” It fits well
in healthcare too when associated with a Fall Risk.
Caregivers would want to know to be on alert and use
caution with a person who has history of previous falls,
dizziness or balance problems, fatigability, or confusion
about their current surroundings.
Q. Why even use an alert band for Fall Risk?
A. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), falls are an area of great concern in
the aging population.
According to the CDC:
1. More than a third of adults aged 65 years or older fall
each year.
2. Older adults are hospitalized for fall-related injuries
five times more often than they are for injuries from
other causes.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
10
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Recommendations for Adoption – June 2007
Restricted
Extremity
Recommendation:
It is recommended that hospitals adopt the color of Pink for the Restricted Extremity Alert designation with
the words embossed / written on the wristband, “Restricted Extremity.”
FAQs
Q. Why did you select pink?
Q. Why even use an alert for Restricted Extremity?
A. Pink wristbands are already being used in over 20% of
A. The pink wristband has been used for breast cancer/
hospitals in Oregon to indicate a restricted extremity.
That fact indicated a strong acceptance for the practice
was in place.
lymphedema patients to indicate the extremity should
not be used for starting an intravenous line or drawing
laboratory specimens. Circulation is compromised in
a patient with lymphedema and unnecessary invasive
procedures should be avoided in the affected extremity.
Pink wristbands can be used to indicate any other
diagnosis that results in a restricted extremity.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
11
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Risk Reduction Strategies
4.Initiate banding upon admission, changes in
Color-coded “Alert” Wristbands
/ Risk Reduction Strategies
condition, or when information received during
hospital stay.
5.Educate patients and family members regarding
Quick Reference Card
the wristbands.
1.Use wristbands with the alert message pre-printed
6.Coordinate chart/ white board/care plan/door
(such as “DNR”).
signage information/stickers with same color
coding.
2.Remove any “social cause” colored wristbands
(such as “Live Strong”).
7.Educate staff to verify patient color-coded “alert”
3.Remove wristbands that have been applied from
arm bands upon assessment, hand-off of care
and facility transfer communication.
another facility.
The following information takes each risk reduction strategy and provides
further detail and / or explanation of that strategy.
1.Use wristbands that are pre-printed with text
4.Initiate banding upon admission, changes
that tells what the band means.
in condition, or information received during
hospital stay.
a. This can reinforce the color coding system
for new clinicians, help caregivers interpret
the meaning of the band in dim light, and also
help those who may be color blind.
5.Educate patients and family members regarding
purpose and meaning of the wristbands.
b. Eliminates the chance of confusing colors with
alert messages.
a. Including the family in this is a safe guard for
you and the patient.
2.Remove any “social cause” (such as Live
b. Remind them that color coding provides
another opportunity to prevent errors.
Strong, Cancer, etc.) colored wristbands.
c. Use the Patient / Family Education brochure
located in the tool kit.
a. Be sure this is addressed in your hospital
policy.
6.Coordinate chart/white board/care plan/door
b. If that can’t be done, you can cover the band
with a bandage or medical tape, but removal
altogether is best.
signage information/stickers with same color
coding.
3.Remove wristbands that have been applied from
a. For allergies, fall prevention, DNR and
restricted extremity status.
a. This should be done during the entrance to
facility process and/or admission.
7.Educate staff to verify patient color-coded “alert”
another facility.
wristbands upon assessment, hand-off of care
and facility transfer communication.
b. Be sure this is addressed in your hospital
policy.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
12
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
8.When possible, limit the use of colored arm
10.If your facility uses pediatric wristbands that
bands.
correspond to the Broselow color coding
system for pediatric resuscitation, take
steps to reduce any confusion between
these Broselow colors and the colors on the
wristbands used elsewhere in the facility.
a. Such as, for other categories of care (i.e. latex,
MRSA, tape).
9.Remember, the wristband is a tool to
communicate an alert status.
a. Educate staff to utilize the patient, medical
record information (physician order for DNR)
as additional resource for verification process
for allergies, fall risk, advance directives and
restricted extremity.
To improve patient safety in the delivery of healthcare has become a goal for every
organization. A part of that is to reduce risks for injury or harm whenever possible. By
implementing risk reduction strategies, we demonstrate patient safety in a consistent
fashion.
Risks are about events that, when triggered, may cause potential harm, significant
injury or in the worse case scenario, death of a patient. The commitment to practice
safely begins at the bedside and is underscored through leadership support to be
proactive in the effort to ensure safe practice.
The initial step begins with risk identification. Trends in adverse events or “the risk
there of” are key to organizational claim management. Failure to rescue, medication
errors, and falls consistently challenge organizations to improve patient safety and
reduce losses. Medication errors and falls are among the highest reported incidents
and are often underestimated “based on their everyday occurrence.” Human factors are
often the root cause of such preventable events and are often related to a complicated
communication process, an ever-changing environment, and inconsistent caregivers.
Communication is a leading contributing factor for sentinel events that occur in the
healthcare setting. One method to assist with effective communication is using color
coding for “alert” wristbands. This provides a simplified tool that, when standardized,
provides a continuous communication link within an organization as well as between
other healthcare facilities.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
13
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Work Plan —
How to Implement
“Patient safety is our first priority”
14
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Suggested Work Plan for Facility Preparation, Staff Education
and Patient Education
Area #1
Organizational Approval
See Task Chart for specific steps
Review
√ Adopting this initiative may need approval by appropriate committees, such as:
~ Patient Safety Committee
~ Medical Staff Committee
~ Quality Improvement Council
~ Board of Directors
Action Plan
Organizations have different committees that need to approve system wide changes, or changes that directly impact
patient care. Each organization needs to assess which committees need to approve the adoption of the initiative and
begin to get on meeting agendas for approval. For some organizations this may mean simply presentation at one
committee, such as The Patient Safety Committee. Other organizations would need to have this approved by several
committees, depending on their culture.
Consider the stakeholders and be sure they approve and understand the initiative before
it is implemented so they can support it.
Area #2
Supplies Assessment and Purchase
See Task Chart for specific steps
Review
√ Assessment of current supply
√ Wristband procurement
Action Plan
Most organizations have a vendor they are using for wristbands in Oregon. It is important to communicate to them
that you are adopting the Arizona model for color-coded wristbands (and adding a pink wristband). Most vendors
are aware of the initiative and what bands should be ordered. However, if they do not know, inform them of the
colors and the alert message needs to be printed directly on the band (please see “Vendor Information” section).
They do need some lead time for the imprinting (about 2-3 weeks).
Coordinate with your Materials Management department to evaluate when current stock will be used up. Once this
is known, the rest of the implementation plan will “back fill” into this date.
Coordinate with your Materials Management department to evaluate when current stock
will be used up. Once this is known, the rest of the implementation plan will “back fill” into this date.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
15
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Suggested Work Plan for Facility Preparation, Staff Education
and Patient Education continued
Area #3
Hospital Specific Documentation
Review
√ Policy adoption
√ Assessment Revision
√ Forms revised to meet standards
√ Consents
Action Plan
Color-banding policy should be reviewed and approved if changes are made.
Hospitals should review their respective forms for possible modifications (pt. education assessments, etc.) You
may want to include language that the patient received the wristband education brochure (See Patient Education
section)
If a patient refuses to wear a band, do you have a document indicating this? Perhaps this needs to be discussed at
P&P committee. A sample has been provided in this Tool Kit.
Coordinate with: Risk Management Staff and individual Hospital Administrators
Area #4
Staff and Patient Orientation, Education and Training
Review
√ Schedule/training content
√ Documentation requirement
√ Posters & FAQs
Action Plan
Education format and training materials need to be reviewed.
Competency content and format has been standardized. The competency form may be individualized for the
hospital.
Hospital staff education will need to be scheduled, completed and documented per hospital policy.
Make changes to the New Employee Orientation so they are provided current information.
Coordinate with: Individual Hospital Education Staff
“Patient safety is our first priority”
16
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Suggested Task Chart for Facility Preparation
Task Chart for Facility Preparation
Area #1 Organizational Approval & Awareness
STEP 1
What to Do
When: WEEK ONE enter date this is done:___________
Notes / Comments / Follow-ups
Find out who the staff person is who supports
the following committee meetings. Get the
contact info for each one:
Patient Safety Committee
Committee
Name
Email / ext.
Patient Safety Comm.
Medical Staff Comm.
~ Medical Staff Committee
~ Nursing Practice Council
Nursing Practice Council
~ Quality Improvement Council
Quality Improvement
Council
~ Board of Directors
~ Other?
NOTE: Not all committees will need to approve
this initiative however, they will usually benefit
from a presentation that provides the information
about this initiative so they can support it.
Seek guidance from your Administrative team
to determine which meetings this needs to be
presented to.
Board of Directors
Other
Other
Other
STEP 2
What to Do
Find out when the next meetings are and get on
agenda to present the initiative for purpose of
acquiring approval or conveying information.
NOTE: Not all committees will need to approve
this initiative however, they will usually benefit
from a presentation that provides the information
about this initiative so they can support it. This
is equally important and should be considered a
priority as well.
When: WEEK ONE
Notes / Comments / Follow-ups
Committee
Date of Next Meeting
Patient Safety Comm.
Medical Staff Comm.
Nursing Practice Council
Quality Improvement
Council
Board of Directors
Other
Other
Other
“Patient safety is our first priority”
17
On Agenda? (Y / N)
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Task Chart for Facility Preparation
Area #1 Organizational Approval & Awareness
STEP 3
What to Do
After presentations made and
approval obtained to adopt
recommendations, contact
pertinent dept./staff to move
forward.
continued
When: Pending Committee Approvals
Notes / Comments / Follow-ups
Dept.
Convey info – see right column
Materials Management
Staff Education
Risk Management
and/or QI Director
Other Departments to
consider:
Medical Staff, Admitting,
ED, Peri-Op, Nursing,
Lab, Dietary, Laboratory,
Radiology, Pharmacy, etc.
Info to be Conveyed
1. Approvals obtained.
2. OK to order wristbands.
3. W
hen will bands be available?
Take that date and add 5-7 more
days – that is your “Go Live” date.
(The 5-7 more days are added to
allow for distribution of wristbands
to pertinent areas.)
1. W
ristbands will be arriving in
about _______ weeks.
2. “ Go Live” Date is _______weeks.
3. OK to start education.
1. W
ristbands will be arriving in
about _______ weeks.
2. “ Go Live” date is _______weeks.
3. C
onfirm P&P has been approved
and prepare to add to P&P
manual.
1. W
ristbands will be arriving in
about _______ weeks.
2. “ Go Live” Date is _______weeks.
3. O
K to start education. Coordinate
with Education department for
either materials / training / or
information.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
18
Follow-ups
How long until delivery?
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Task Chart for Facility Preparation
Area #1 Organizational Approval & Awareness
STEP 4
What to Do
STEP 5
What to Do
STEP 6
What to Do
If any other steps required, add them here.
Notes / Comments / Follow-ups
If any other steps required, add them here.
Notes / Comments / Follow-ups
If any other steps required, add them here.
Notes / Comments / Follow-ups
“Patient safety is our first priority”
19
continued
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Task Chart for Facility Preparation
Area #2 Supplies Assessment and Purchase
STEP 1
What to Do
When: WEEK ONE enter date this is done:___________
Other Notes / Cues
Contact Materials Manager and brief on the
initiative. Answer questions and share the
tool kit.
Coordinated with Materials Management (MM) person who will do the ordering.
MM Name: __________________________________________
Remember: You are just gathering
Email: ______________________________________________
information. Do not order wristbands until
Organizational Approval has been obtained. Phone: _____________________________________________
STEP 2
What to Do
When: WEEK ONE
Other Notes / Cues
Ask Materials Manager when current supply
Allergy Bands run out about _________________ (ex: mid-Jan. 08)
of wristbands will run out. This is based on
estimates from typical order patterns and
Fall Bands run out about ___________________
staff usage.
DNR Bands run out about __________________
Restricted Extremity Bands run out about __________________
STEP 3
What to Do
When: WEEK ONE
Other Notes / Cues
Ask Materials Manager to contact wristband ALLERGY BAND:
vendor and alert them to change in supply
£ Red: PMS 1788
color. Convey info to the right. Check off
£ “ALLERGY” pre-printed on band in black – 48 pt. Arial Bold, all caps
items once communicated to Vendor.
FALL BAND:
£ Yellow: PMS 102
£ “FALL RISK” pre-printed on band in black – 48 pt. Arial Bold, all caps
DNR BAND:
£ Purple: PMS 254
£ “DNR” pre-printed on band in white – 48 pt. Arial Bold, all caps
RESTRICTED EXTREMITY BAND:
£ Pink: PMS 1905
£ “ RESTRICTED EXTREMITY” pre-printed on band in black – 28 pt. Arial Bold, all
caps
STEP 4
What to Do
Follow-up with MM in a week and validate
that they were able to contact vendor.
Complete info in right column from MM.
When: WEEK TWO
Other Notes / Cues
Lead time required when ordering wristbands is:
ALLERGY BAND: ________ weeks
FALL BAND:
________ weeks
DNR BAND:
________ weeks
RESTRICTED EXTREMITY BAND: ________ weeks
“Patient safety is our first priority”
20
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Task Chart for Facility Preparation
Area #2 Supplies Assessment and Purchase
STEP 5
What to Do
When to Do It
Assure Materials Management
staff that you will contact them
to order wristbands once
Organizational approval has
been obtained and Policy and
Procedure changes have been
approved.
Give status report within
a month of initial contact
so MM knows this is still
being worked on.
STEP 6
What to Do
If any other steps required, add them here.
When to Do It
STEP 7
What to Do
Other Notes / Cues
If any other steps required, add them here.
When to Do It
STEP 8
What to Do
Other Notes / Cues
Other Notes / Cues
If any other steps required, add them here.
When to Do It
Other Notes / Cues
“Patient safety is our first priority”
21
continued
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Task Chart for Facility Preparation
Area #3 Hospital Specific Documentation
STEP 1
When: week TWO or THREE enter date this is done:___________
What to Do
Other Notes and Cues
Contact CNO and clinical directors to review if
documentation records contain specific information
about wrist bands, such as daily nursing charting.
Coordinate with CNO and Clinical Directors
It may be helpful or more efficient for you to pull the daily documentation
information for the various areas and review the current requirement.
Consider these documents:
Remember: This is not a recommendation to add
“wrist bands” to your documentation process
or color specific information, but to review your
current documents / process.
ED Triage record or Treatment / ED Nurses Notes
Admitting Assessment
ICU Nurses Notes
Peri-Op Assessments / Notes
Daily Nursing Documentation
Other:________________________________________________
STEP 2
What to Do
When: week TWO or THREE
Other Notes and Cues
If your current documentation addresses wristband
information, review documents to assure any reference
to colors are updated to reflect these changes.
STEP 3
What to Do
When: week THREE or FOUR
Other Notes and Cues
If changes are required to the documentation forms,
contact Forms Committee and pertinent Clinical
Directors and initiate process for changes.
STEP 4
What to Do
Again, this is not a recommendation that the documentation reflect
color information about wristbands. However, if your documentation
is color specific, this is a cue to validate that the information be
updated to reflect the new colors – if that is your current process.
Some organizations require any changes to forms be reviewed through a
“Forms Committee” or similar entity. Other organizations do not require
this process if the information being changed is minimal and does not
change “content.” This step is to determine your organization’s process.
When: week THREE or FOUR
Other Notes and Cues
Once process is known, and if a form(s) update is
required, factor the print time and new form availability
into the timeline so the education and implementation
processes are in sync with the arrival of new
documents.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
22
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Task Chart for Facility Preparation
Area #3 Hospital Specific Documentation
STEP 5
What to Do
The Policy and Procedure for wristband application
needs to be reviewed and updated to reflect the new
process.
Obtain a copy of the current wristband P&P and review
content.
STEP 6
What to Do
continued
When: week FOUR
Other Notes and Cues
A sample P&P has been provided for you to use as a template. Review
this sample and adopt its content as it makes sense in your organization.
NOTE: It is important that you compare your current process with
the sample P&P and determine what elements you will change. The
sample P&P is not prescriptive but rather suggestive.
When: week FOUR
Other Notes and Cues
Some banding processes may vary slightly within the
organization given the area of care and its unique
needs, such as ED, Peri-Operative, Radiology, L&D,
etc. You will want to contact the Directors of each of
these areas and ask if they have their own P&P for
banding a patient, or do they use the facility wide P&P.
If they have a unique P&P, obtain a copy of it so you
can compare its content with the facility wide P&P.
Contact ED Director. Name/ext: _______________________
Review with each area that has a unique P&P their
current P&P and the proposed changes.
Contact Radiology Director. Name/ext: _________________
Unique P&P? No______ Yes______ (obtain copy)
Contact Peri-Op Director. Name/ext: ___________________
Unique P&P? No______ Yes______ (obtain copy)
Unique P&P? No______ Yes______ (obtain copy)
Contact L&D Director. Name/ext: _____________________
Unique P&P? No______ Yes______ (obtain copy)
Contact “other” Director. Name/ext: ___________________
Unique P&P? No______ Yes______ (obtain copy)
Contact “other” Director. Name/ext: ___________________
Unique P&P? No______ Yes______ (obtain copy)
STEP 7
What to Do
Other Notes and Cues
Get this item on P&P committee agenda and have
approval for the changes.
P&P Committee Contact / ext. _________________________
Coordinate this with the departments that have “unique”
P&Ps so all are changed at the same time.
Date / Month on P&P Committee ______________________
Communicate the P&P Committee date to other pertinent Directors so the
proposed changes are reviewed and agreed upon before P&P Committee date.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
23
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Task Chart for Facility Preparation
Area #3 Hospital Specific Documentation
STEP 8
What to Do
STEP 9
What to Do
STEP 10
What to Do
continued
If any other steps required, add them here.
Other Notes and Cues
If any other steps required, add them here.
Other Notes and Cues
If any other steps required, add them here.
Other Notes and Cues
“Patient safety is our first priority”
24
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Task Chart for Staff / Patient Education
Area #4 Staff and Patient Education
STEP 1
What to Do
Familiarize yourself with training content and
the tools (FAQs, brochures, Posters & more).
Review the contents of the Education session in this tool kit. This is important
because as discussions occur about who will do what, you can inform Directors
abut the tools that are available for staff to use. Because the Education section
is so comprehensive, some may opt to participate in the facilitation process. By
giving the Directors all of the information about the tools and training section in this
manual, they can make a better and informed decision.
STEP 2
What to Do
Determine the education format by discussing
with the Education Department and Clinical
Directors. By education format we refer to the
way the education is going to be managed - at
the unit specific level or in a general session
where multiple departments are present. Also,
is the education going to be facilitated through
the department specific Directors or Education
department?
It is important to consider all of the
stakeholders: physicians, dietary, pharmacy,
Therapies, Radiology, Peri-Op, ED, L&D,
Housekeeping, etc. The column on the
right is a tool that you will need for all of the
stakeholders. Use the back of this if more
room is needed.
When: TWO to THREE weeks
Other Notes and Cues
When: TWO to THREE weeks
Other Notes and Cues
Education Dept. preferences are: ____ Unit Specific _____ General session
____ Other (explain_____________________________________________)
Facilitator Preferences: ____ Unit Based
____Educ Dept
Critical Care Dir. preferences are: ____ Unit Specific _____ General session
____ Other (explain_____________________________________________)
Facilitator Preferences: ____ Unit Based
____Educ Dept
Med / Surg Dir. preferences are: ____ Unit Specific _____ General session
____ Other (explain_____________________________________________)
Facilitator Preferences: ____ Unit Based
____Educ Dept
Pharmacy Dir preferences are: ____ Unit Specific _____ General session
____ Other (explain_____________________________________________)
STEP 3
What to Do
Obtain the names of the trainers and send
an email advising of an upcoming Train the
Trainer. This meeting should be no longer than
45 minutes to one hour. Schedule this about
one month out to accommodate already full
schedules.
When: THREE to FOUR weeks
Other Notes and Cues
Whether training occurs at a unit based level or in a general session, a Train the
Trainer session ought to be considered so the Education Materials and Training
Tips can be viewed by all.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
25
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Task Chart for Staff / Patient Education
Area #4 Staff and Patient Education
STEP 4
What to Do
Find out the name of Chair of the “Patient /
Community Education” Committee. Contact
that person and schedule appointment to
review the Patient brochure. If necessary, get
on the agenda of the next committee meeting
to get approval for the brochure to be used.
STEP 5
What to Do
continued
When: THREE to FOUR weeks
Other Notes and Cues
Another component to the education section is the patient education. Most
organizations have a “Patient / Community Education” Committee that reviews
education materials before it can be given to patients.
When: TWO weeks before Train the Trainer Session
Other Notes and Cues
Make one copy of the Education section of
this tool kit for each Trainer so they each
have their own set of materials. Don’t forget
about the PowerPoint presentation too. Some
organizations may want to put the PowerPoint
on a shared drive, while others may want to
burn a copy of the CD.
Updates will be occurring to this tool kit as new information is added or great
suggestions are made by the users. Be sure to visit the website where the tool kit
is posted and check for any updates before you make all of the copies of materials.
The website is: www.orhospitalquality.org At the home page, click on the Patient
Safety tab. You will see the Color-coded Alert Wristband link- just click on that.
Find the file that contains the document you are looking for.
STEP 6
When: THREE weeks before Staff Education Roll-out
What to Do
Other Notes and Cues
Send out a reminder email to all Trainers
reminding them to make copies of the following
hand outs for their staff:
It may be useful to obtain the actual wristbands to show staff exactly what they
look like. Also, try to incorporate some fun into this by using purple, red, yellow
and pink “props” or candy – like M&Ms, Skittles or other such things.
~ Staff education brochure
~ Patient education brochure
~ FAQs
~ Posters announcing the meeting (there are
three to choose from)
~ Sign-in sheet
~ Competency check list (if you are using that)
STEP 7
What to Do
If any other steps required, add them here.
Other Notes and Cues
“Patient safety is our first priority”
26
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Staff and Patient
Education Materials
“Patient safety is our first priority”
27
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Staff Education Training Tips
Introduction
The following section regarding staff education has been
developed knowing that you may choose to do all of this,
or part of it. We hope that we have made this section
comprehensive without being overly burdensome. Make
this plan work for you; use what you want and remember
the goal is to communicate the changes with color-coded
alert wristbands to your staff.
This section was created with the following
design objectives in mind:
1. Staff can be easily guided through the changes with color-coded alert wristbands;
2. The instructors are well equipped to teach about these changes;
3. No new materials have to be created by staff; this should be nearly a “turn key” education event, and
4. Staff can feel confident that all Oregon hospitals are hearing the same message and a similar implementation
plan. This is important if staff work at more than one hospital.
Who and how will this be done?
This is a decision that needs to be made within your
organization. It can be as simple or formal as you desire.
Suggestions include staff meetings, at formal education
sessions, annual competencies – what ever works for
your organization. It should be done routinely at new
employee orientation so the new staff is quickly brought
up to speed on this initiative.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
28
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Key Preparation Before You Start
Review your section under the “Implementation Work Plan”
to be sure you have included all of your stakeholders in this
process. Consider all of the stakeholders in your organization
when it comes to color-coded wristbands and who is impacted
in this system change.
Thoughts to consider:
1. While ultimately the nurses are the people that
usually band the patient, the health unit clerks (HUC)
are greatly involved in the system process. Include
them in the training. They can better assist the nurses
when they have this information.
5. Who else? Take some time to quietly observe the
activities of the day at one of the nurse’s stations.
Just a 30 minute observation and you will probably
“see” and “hear” things that make you remember
another stakeholder. Include them in the education
process. Once done, you can begin the actual
training part.
2. Consider the housekeeping staff. They are often
present in a patient room when a patient is trying to
get up or walking to the bathroom. If the housekeeping
staff knows a yellow wristband means “Fall Risk,”
and they see a patient trying to get up, they can call
the nursing staff, alert them and potentially prevent
a fall.
3. What about the dietary technicians? A red wristband
means there is an allergy – and not just to medicines.
Maybe it is a food allergy and the red band will alert
them to check for that and note it in their profile.
4. Don’t make assumptions about the Medical Staff
getting this information. Attendings, Intensivists,
Residents and Interns need to know what these
colors mean. Pull them into the process. This
promotes safe healthcare for all providing it and
receiving it.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
29
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Getting Started
Most people will use this brochure as the main teaching
material. It contains most of the pertinent information staff
need to know for this initiative. We suggest you do not
give out the brochure until the end of your training
because people may start reading the brochure instead
of listening to you. Pass it out at the end of the meeting,
but tell them up front that there is a brochure with all of the
information you are presenting and you will pass it out later.
Here are the main points you want to make during your training session:
1
Start with a story – adults want to know “why” they should do something; simply telling them they need to
start doing this “because they do” is not sufficient information to get high levels of compliance. Besides,
isn’t that what you would want to know, too? A story gives them information that makes the request
relevant – so they want to comply.
This story is true. One panel of the brochure tells the story where a patient was not coded due to a mix up
in the wristbands. The error was caught in time to quickly code the patient, but by telling this story most
staff will understand how this error could happen to anyone – and they will be on board with this plan. The
story goes like this:
In 2005, a hospital in Pennsylvania submitted a report to the Pennsylvania Patient
Safety Reporting System (PA-PSRS) describing an event in which clinicians nearly
failed to rescue a patient who had a cardiopulmonary arrest because the patient
had been incorrectly designated as “DNR” (do not resuscitate). The source of the
confusion was that a nurse had incorrectly placed a yellow wristband on the patient.
In this hospital, the color yellow signified that the patient should not be resuscitated.
In a nearby hospital, in which this nurse also worked, yellow signified “restricted
extremity,” meaning that this arm is not to be used for drawing blood or obtaining
IV access. Fortunately, in this case, another clinician identified the mistake, and the
patient was resuscitated. However, this “near miss” highlights a potential source of
error and an opportunity to improve patient safety by re-evaluating the use of colorcoded wristbands.*
We want to thank and acknowledge this hospital for their transparency and disclosure
of this event. It could have happened any where, and it has served as a “wake up call”
to many of us.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
30
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
2
Follow the story with data results – by sharing with staff how our state uses wristbands makes the
information more relevant, and reinforces to them their developing motivation to comply and participate
in this. Share this information with staff. It is on one of the panels in the brochure, too.
A survey was conducted in November 2006, of Oregon hospitals to evaluate our risk
for such an event. The results showed that seven different colors/methods were
being used to designate allergy status with patient wristbands and four colors/methods were being used to convey DNR status.
Our risk was apparent.
Standardize the colors being used for Allergies, Fall Risk,
DNR and Restricted Extremity in all Oregon hospitals.
Our answer is this project.
3
The Big Picture – For many individuals, knowing that we are part of a bigger and unique situation fosters
pride and again, reinforces the developing motivation to comply. Tell staff how this state is part of a regional
effort to work together with the goal of using the same colors. Share this information with them:
This initiative is being adopted by hospitals statewide. The states in the Southwest
have already adopted this project. This makes it safe for us as clinicians and as
patients. Known as the WRAPS, (Western Region Alliance for Patient Safety), the
member states - Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah, are
united in this effort. Once achieved, it means whether you are traveling on vacation to
these states or relocated to work in another state, most hospitals in this region of the
country will be using the following colors:
RED means ALLERGY ALERT
YELLOW means FALL RISK
PURPLE means “DNR” or Do Not Resuscitate
PINK means RESTRICTED EXTREMITY
“Patient safety is our first priority”
31
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
4
Introduce the Colors – In the tool kit you will find four sample wristbands that show the colors being used
and demonstrate the text that is pre-printed on the wristbands. These wristbands are from the vendor
St. Johns. If your organization uses a different vendor (check with Materials Management) than you may
want to check to see if their bands are available so you can show what you will be using. The colors
should be the same since the vendors know the “colors” being used. This is the time to show the bands
so there is a visual of the information you are going to share. Review with staff the four bands, the colors
and the corresponding meaning. The text box below will walk you through that information.
There are four different color-coded “alert” wristbands that we are going to discuss
that are a part of the statewide standardization.
RED means ALLERGY ALERT
YELLOW means FALL RISK
PURPLE means “DNR” or Do Not Resuscitate
PINK means RESTRICTED EXTREMITY
5
AQs about the colors selected. This is a companion document to the staff brochure. Research about
F
colors and human association with certain colors contributed to the color selection process in this
project . This is important for staff to know so they can feel confidant with this process. The FAQ document
reviews why the colors were selected and why other colors were not selected. At this time, hand out the
FAQ sheet to staff and review with them. Don’t just hand out the FAQs. Make this interactive and ask each
person attending to take a question (there are 12) and read the answer to all. This will make the session
more interesting. Also, by having staff read and hear the information, they will “re-engage” at this point
in the presentation.
You are two-thirds done at this point.
Let staff know this so they mentally relax.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
32
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
6
even Risk Reduction Strategies – In addition to the standardization of wristband colors in the state,
S
we recommend seven other risk reduction strategies that should be initiated. These are suggested as a
result of sentinel events that have occurred, near-miss events and common sense. This information is
also in the staff brochure and can be cut out as a Quick Reference Guide and laminated, if you desire.
Review these with staff now.
4.Initiate banding upon admission, changes in
Color-coded “Alert” Wristbands
/ Risk Reduction Strategies
condition, or when information received during
hospital stay.
5.Educate patients and family members regarding
Quick Reference Card
the wristbands.
1.Use wristbands with the alert message pre-printed
6.Coordinate chart/ white board/care plan/door
(such as “DNR”).
signage information/stickers with same color
coding.
2.Remove any “social cause” colored wristbands
(such as “Live Strong”).
7.Educate staff to verify patient color-coded “alert”
3.Remove wristbands that have been applied from
arm bands upon assessment, hand-off of care
and facility transfer communication.
another facility.
The following information takes each risk reduction strategy and provides
further detail and / or explanation of that strategy.
1.Use wristbands that are pre-printed with text
4.Initiate banding upon admission, changes
a. This can reinforce the color coding system
for new clinicians, help caregivers interpret
the meaning of the band in dim light, and also
help those who may be color blind.
5.Educate patients and family members regarding
b. Eliminates the chance of confusing colors with
alert messages.
a. Including the family in this is a safe guard for
you and the patient.
2.Remove any “social cause” (such as Live
b. Remind them that color coding provides
another opportunity to prevent errors.
that tells what the band means.
in condition, or information received during
hospital stay.
purpose and meaning of the wristbands.
Strong, Cancer, etc.) colored wristbands.
c. Use the Patient / Family Education brochure
located in the tool kit.
a. Be sure this is addressed in your hospital
policy.
6.Coordinate chart/ white board/care plan/door
b. If that can’t be done, you can cover the band
with a bandage or medical tape, but removal
altogether is best.
signage information/stickers with same color
coding.
3.Remove wristbands that have been applied from
a. For allergies, fall prevention, DNR and
restricted extremity status.
a. This should be done during the entrance to
facility process and/or admission.
7.Educate staff to verify patient color-coded “alert”
another facility.
wristbands upon assessment, hand-offs of care
and facility transfer communication.
b. Be sure this is addressed in your hospital
policy.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
33
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Additional points to make:
8.When possible, limit the use of colored arm
10.If your facility uses pediatric wristbands that
bands.
correspond to the Broselow color coding
system for pediatric resuscitation, take
steps to reduce any confusion between
these Broselow colors and the colors on the
wristbands used elsewhere in the facility.
a. Such as, for other categories of care (i.e. latex,
MRSA, tape).
9.Remember, the wristband is a tool to
communicate an alert status.
a. Educate staff to utilize the patient, medical
record information (physician order for DNR)
as additional resource for verification process
for allergies, fall risk, advance directives and
restricted extremity.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
34
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
7
Teaching Patients - The Patient Education brochure is a companion document to the staff brochure. We
know that how we say something is just as important as what we say. Patients and their loved ones are
scared, vulnerable and unfamiliar with hospital ways. We need to communicate to them in a respectful
and simple way without being condescending. The following text was written to serve as a “script” for
staff so all could be delivering the same information to patients and families. By having a consistent
message, we reinforce the information – this helps patients and families retain the information. Another
benefit of having a consistent message is patients and families experience a sense of confidence in the
healthcare system since we are all echoing each other. The text box below is taken directly from the staff
brochure. This is the time to mention to staff there is a patient / family brochure that can be handed out
(if your unit intends on doing that). Tell staff you will hand out the brochure to them so they can see what
the patients will have when you are done presenting the material.
SCRIPT for any staff person talking to a patient or family
What is a Color-coded “Alert” Wristband?
Color-coded alert wristbands are used in hospitals to quickly communicate a certain healthcare
status, condition or an “alert” that a patient may have. This is done so every staff member can
provide the best care possible.
What do the colors mean?
There are four different color-coded “alert” wristbands that we are going to discuss because they
are the most commonly ones used.
RED means ALLERGY ALERT
If a patient has an allergy to anything - food, medicine, dust, grass, pet hair, ANYTHING- tell us. It
may not seem important to you but it could be very important in the care they receive.
YELLOW means FALL RISK
We want to prevent falls at all times. Nurses review patients all the time to determine if they need
extra attention in order to prevent a fall. Sometimes, a person may become weakened during
their illness or because they just had a surgery. When a patient has this color-coded alert wristband, the nurse is saying this person needs to be assisted when walking or they may fall.
PURPLE means “DNR” Or Do Not Resuscitate
Some patients have expressed an end-of-life wish and we want to honor that.
PINK means Restricted Extremity
When a patient has this color-coded wristband, the nurse is saying this patient’s extremity should
be handled with extreme care. Other care providers are alerted to check with the nurse prior to
any tests or procedures involving the restricted extremity.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
35
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
8
nd finally…. Review with staff the points listed below. These are the items that are listed on the
A
competency so it is important to clarify that they have a good understanding of these items. You should
emphasize, “this is what would impact your tasks every day…” and review those points. This is a good
time to hand out your organization’s P&P. Be sure your policy covers the below listed areas as they are
also a part of the competency. If your policy does not address any of the items on the competency, than
you should remove it from the form.
4 Color Code – what do the four colors mean?
4 Who can apply the wristband to the patient?
4 When does the application of the color-coded wristband(s) occur?
4 Policy on patients not allowed to wear the “Social Cause” bands
4 Patient education and how to communicate (script) the information with patients /families
4 Need for Re-Application of Band
4 Communication re wristbands during transfers and other reports.
4 Patient refusal to comply with policy
4 Discharge Instructions for home and /or facility transfer
If you use the last one of any of the materials used, you may go to www.orhospitalquality.org. At the home page, click
on the Patient Safety tab. You will see the Color-coded Alert Wristband link- just click on that. Find the file that contains the
document you are looking for.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
36
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Staff Education — The Tools
1. Poster announcing the training meeting dates/times
(Document Provided)
The following poster was created to announce the meetings and the initiative. Post them
in the staff lounge, communication boards, employee locker room, staff bath rooms, where
ever you feel staff will see it.
This poster is also available online as a PDF file. In order to access it, go to www.orhospitalquality.org. At the home
page, click on the Patient Safety tab. You will see the Color-coded Alert Wristband link– just click on that. Find the file that
says “Staff Training / Meeting Poster.”
“Patient safety is our first priority”
37
20 minutes will tell you
what to expect
with the new changes
Join us on the following dates for the training session
about Color-coded Alert Wristbands.
Day / Date / Time: ______________________________________________________________________
Location:_______________________________________________________________________________
Day / Date / Time: ______________________________________________________________________
Location:_______________________________________________________________________________
Day / Date / Time: ______________________________________________________________________
Location:_______________________________________________________________________________
Questions? Contact: ____________________________________________________ ext:_______________
“Patient safety is our first priority”
Got
Color?
Join us on the following dates for the
training session about Color-coded
Alert Wristband Standardization.
Day / Date / Time: ______________________________________________________________________
Location:_______________________________________________________________________________
Day / Date / Time: ______________________________________________________________________
Location:_______________________________________________________________________________
Day / Date / Time: ______________________________________________________________________
Location:_______________________________________________________________________________
Questions? Contact: ____________________________________________________ ext:_______________
“Patient safety is our first priority”
ME
A
G
H
M ATC
YELLOW
“DNR”
PURPLE
Y
ALLERG
PINK
K
S
I
R
L
FAL
RED
ED
T
C
I
R
T
RES MITY
EXTRE
Colors are FUN
but
patient safety
is NOT A GAME
Join us on the following dates for the training session about
Color-coded Alert Wristband Standardization.
Day / Date / Time: ______________________________________________________________________
Location:_______________________________________________________________________________
Day / Date / Time: ______________________________________________________________________
Location:_______________________________________________________________________________
Day / Date / Time: ______________________________________________________________________
Location:_______________________________________________________________________________
Questions? Contact: ____________________________________________________ ext:_______________
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Staff Education — The Tools
continued
2. Staff Sign-In Sheet (Document Provided)
Sample — Completed Staff Sign-In Sheet
• Use this form so there is a record of all staff that attended the training session.
• Make copies so you don’t use the last one.
one, go to www.orhospitalquality.org. At the home page, click on the Patient Safety tab.
•IfYouyouwilluseseethethelastColor-coded
Alert Wristband link – just click on that. Find the file that contains the document
you are looking for. Find the file that says “Staff Sign-In Sheet.”
this sign–in sheet with your staff meeting / training folder. JCAHO or other regulatory agencies may ask
•Keep
you for it. This is especially important if you are making this a mandatory participation session.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
41
Staff Sign-In Sheet
Date :_____________________ Unit/Dept/ Location__________________________________
Educator: _ __________________________________________________________________
Topic: Color-coded Alert Wristbands
Objective: 1. T
o inform staff of the new process and colors of the Allergy,
Fall Risk, DNR and Restricted Extremity wristbands.
2. S
taff to demonstrate understanding of information through
feedback of information.
Name/Title:_____________________________________________________________________ Shift:________________
Name/Title:_____________________________________________________________________ Shift:________________
Name/Title:_____________________________________________________________________ Shift:________________
Name/Title:_____________________________________________________________________ Shift:________________
Name/Title:_____________________________________________________________________ Shift:________________
Name/Title:_____________________________________________________________________ Shift:________________
Name/Title:_____________________________________________________________________ Shift:________________
Name/Title:_____________________________________________________________________ Shift:________________
Name/Title:_____________________________________________________________________ Shift:________________
Name/Title:_____________________________________________________________________ Shift:________________
Name/Title:_____________________________________________________________________ Shift:________________
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Staff Education — The Tools
continued
3. Staff competency check list (Document Provided)
We recognize that some organizations will opt to use this form and some will not. Should
you decide to use a competency check list in your process, we hope this form will provide
the documentation you need. This form also serves as a great check list for the trainer so all
of the important elements in the training are remembered and taught.
If you do not use this as a staff form, consider using it as your form to help you remember
every element you should be reviewing with staff about the changes with the color-coded
alert wristbands.
If you use the last one, you may go to www.orhospitalquality.org. At the home page, click on the Patient Safety tab.
You will see the Color-coded Alert Wristband link- just click on that. Find the file that contains the document you are
looking for. Find the file that says “Staff Competency Check List.”
“Patient safety is our first priority”
43
Staff Competency Checklist
Purpose: T
hese are the standards of the technical competencies
necessary for performance and/or clinical practice.
To meet competency standard the employee must demonstrate proficiency in performing the technical
procedures safely as evidenced by department specific criteria.
Methods to Use:
A. Demonstration
B. Direct Observation/Checklist
C. Video / PowerPoint Review
D. Skills Lab
E. Self Study/Test
F. Data Management
G. Other
Supervisor’s
initials signify
competency
was met.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Employee Name
Patient Color-coded
Alert Wristband Process
Job Title
Date
Method Supervisors’
Used
Initials
Comments
Color Code – what do the four colors mean?
Who can apply the wristband to the patient?
When does the application of the
wristband(s) occur?
Policy on patient’s not allowed to wear the
“Social Cause” bands
Patient education and how to communicate
(script) the information with patients /families
Need for Re-Application of Band
Communication re wristbands during
transfers and other reports
Patient refusal to comply with policy
Discharge Instructions for home and /or
facility transfer
__________________________________________ Signature
Initials
__________________________________________
Signature
Initials
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Employee Signature
Date
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Staff Education — The Tools
continued
4. Tri-fold brochure called “Staff Education
Regarding Color-coded Alert Wristbands”
(Document Provided)
Most people will use this brochure as the main teaching material. It contains most of the pertinent information staff need to know for this initiative.
We suggest you do not give out the brochure until the end of your training
because people may start reading the brochure instead of listening to you.
Pass it out at the end of the meeting, but tell them up front that there is a
brochure with all of the information you are presenting and you will pass it
out later.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
45
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Staff Education — The Tools
continued
5. Tri-fold brochure called “Patient Safety:
Understanding what your color-coded “Alert”
wristband means” (Document Provided)
This brochure was created to hand out to patients and family members
so they understand what the wristband colors mean and can confirm the
information. Patients should have this information whether they need a
color-coded wristband, or not, because new information may surface due to
this education. For example, perhaps a patient has an allergy to a certain
food but was thinking only about medications when first asked about allergies. During a family visit, a loved one could read this information brochure
and bring up the food allergy. This can now be corrected and the patient is
not at risk due to an oversight.
If you use the last one, go to www.orhospitalquality.org. At the home page, click on the Patient Safety tab. You will see the
Color-coded Alert Wristband link- just click on that. Find the file that contains the document you are looking for.
Find the file that says Tri-fold brochure called “Patient Safety: Understanding what your color-coded “Alert” wristband means.”
“Patient safety is our first priority”
46
*To view the entire report go to http://www.psa.
state.pa.us/psa/lib/psa/advisories/v2_s2_sup__
advisory_dec_14_2005.pdf
In 2005, a hospital in Pennsylvania
submitted a report to the Pennsylvania
Patient Safety Reporting System (PA-PSRS)
describing an event in which clinicians
nearly failed to rescue a patient who had a
cardiopulmonary arrest because the patient
had been incorrectly designated as “DNR”
(do not resuscitate). The source of the
confusion was that a nurse had incorrectly
placed a yellow wristband on the patient.
In this hospital, the color yellow signified
that the patient should not be resuscitated.
In a nearby hospital, in which this nurse
also worked, yellow signified “restricted
extremity,” meaning that this arm is not to
be used for drawing blood or obtaining IV
access. Fortunately, in this case, another
clinician identified the mistake, and the
patient was resuscitated. However, this
“near miss” highlights a potential source of
error and an opportunity to improve patient
safety by re-evaluating the use of colorcoded wristbands.*
We want to thank and acknowledge this
hospital for their transparency and disclosure
of this event. It could have happened any
where, and it has served as a “wake up call”
to many of us.
How this all
got started…
PINK means
“RESTRICTED EXTREMITY”
PURPLE means “DNR”
YELLOW means FALL RISK
RED means ALLERGY ALERT
This initiative is being adopted in Oregon
and in all of the southwestern states of the
nation. Known as the WRAPS, (Western
Region Alliance for Patient Safety), Arizona,
California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico
and Utah are united in this effort. That means
whether you are traveling on vacation to these
states or relocated to work in another state,
most hospitals in this region of the country will
be using the following colors:
The Big Picture
Oregon has a goal of providing safe and high
quality care. We accomplish this in several
ways, one which includes using the same
colors for “alert” wrist bands. Most hospitals
are adopting the same colors so regardless of
which hospital you work at today or tomorrow,
the color coded alert wristbands should be the
same color for Allergy, the same color for Fall
Risk, the same color for Do Not Resuscitate,
and the same color for Restricted Extremity.
What about Oregon?
Information intended for
all staff, clinical
and non-clinical.
Color-coded “alert”
wristbands
Staff Education
Regarding:
How we say something is just as important as what we say. The next column
is a script you can use to tell your patients
/ families about the color-coded alert wristbands and what they mean. If everyone
says it the same, there is a better chance
patients and families will understand what
we are saying.
How to tell the patients what
the different colors mean?
Our answer is this project.
Standardize the colors being used for
Allergies, Fall Risk, DNR, and Restricted
Extremity in all Oregon hospitals.
Our risk was apparent.
A survey was conducted in November,
2006, of Oregon hospitals to evaluate our
risk for such an event. The results showed
that seven different colors /methods were
being used to designate allergy status
with patient wrist bands and four different
colors were being used to designate DNR
status.
Color-coded Alert
Wristbands –
A Statewide Patient
Safety Initiative
PINK means Restricted Extremity
When a patient has this color-coded wristband,
the nurse is saying this patient’s extremity should
be handled with extreme care. Other care
providers are alerted to check with the nurse
prior to any tests or procedures.
PURPLE means “DNR” Or Do Not
Resuscitate
Some patients have expressed an end-of-life
wish and we want to honor that.
YELLOW means FALL RISK
We want to prevent falls at all times. Nurses
review patients all the time to determine if they
need extra attention in order to prevent a fall.
Sometimes, a person may become weakened
during their illness or because they just had a
surgery. When a patient has this color-coded
alert wristband, the nurse is indicating this person
needs to be monitored or they may fall.
RED means ALLERGY ALERT
If a patient has an allergy to anything - food,
medicine, dust, grass, pet hair, ANYTHING- tell us.
It may not seem important to you but it could be
very important in the care the patient receives.
What do the colors mean?
There are four different color-coded “alert”
wristbands that we are going to discuss because
they are the most commonly ones used.
What is a Color-coded “Alert” Wristband?
Color-coded alert wristbands are used in hospitals
to quickly communicate a certain healthcare
status, condition or an “alert” that a patient may
have. This is done so every staff member can
provide the best care possible.
For any staff person talking
to a patient or family
SCRIPT
arm bands upon assessment, hand-off of care
and facility transfer communication.
7.Educate staff to verify patient color-coded “alert”
signage information/stickers with same color
coding.
6.Coordinate chart/ white board/care plan/door
the wristbands.
5.Educate patients and family members regarding
condition, or when information received during
hospital stay.
4.Initiate banding upon admission, changes in
another facility.
3.Remove wristbands that have been applied from
(such as “Live Strong”).
2.Remove any “social cause” colored wristbands
(such as “DNR”).
1.Use wristbands with the alert message pre-printed
Quick Reference Card
Color-coded “Alert” Wristbands
/ Risk Reduction Strategies
Other Risk Reduction
Strategies
Staff Should Know
and their families.
patients
safer and better for
making healthcare
collaborative work,
supporter of this
proud to be a
Our hospital is
in an endeavor
to use the same
methods or processes,
like color-coded
wristbands.
Oregon healthcare
providers are working
together to make
patients safe.
We accomplish this goal
by working together
on statewide projects
Patient Safety:
Understanding
what your
color-coded “alert”
wristbands mean
Alert wristbands are used in
hospitals to quickly communicate
a certain health care status or an
“alert” that a patient may have. This
is done so every staff member can
provide the best care possible, even
if they do not know that patient.
The different colors have certain
meanings. The words for the alerts
are also written on the wristband to
reduce the chance of confusing the
alert messages.
What is a Color-coded
“Alert” Wrist Band?
Oregon has a goal of providing
safe and high quality care. We
accomplish this in several ways,
one which includes using the same
colors for “alert” wrist bands. This
initiative is not only throughout our
state, but in all of the southwestern
states in this region of the nation
(Arizona,
California,
Colorado,
Nevada, New Mexico and Utah).
Statewide Patient
Safety Initiatives
PINK means “Restricted Extremity”
When a patient has this color-coded wristband,
the nurse is saying this patient’s extremity
should be handled with extreme care. Other
care providers are alerted to check with the
nurse prior to any tests or procedures
YELLOW means FALL RISK
We want to prevent falls at all times. Nurses
assess patients all the time to determine if they
need extra attention in order to prevent a fall.
Sometimes, a person may become weakened
during their illness or because they just had a
surgery. When a patient has this color-coded
alert wristband, the nurse is indicating this person
needs to be closely monitored or they may fall.
If there is information we do not know, such as a food
allergy or a tendency to lose balance and almost fall,
share that with us because we want to provide the
best and safest health care to all of our patients.
Keep us informed.
It is important that the patient and families know
these colors and their meanings because you are the
best source of information.
Also, if you have an Advance Directive, tell us so. An
Advance Directive tells your doctor what kind of care
you would like if you become unable to make medical
decisions. We want to respect and honor a patient’s
wishes and that is done best when we have all of the
information.
Involving Patients and Family Members
Some patients have expressed an end-of-life
wish and we want to honor that.
PURPLE means “DNR”
or Do Not Resuscitate
If a patient has an allergy to anything – food,
medicine, dust, grass, pet hair, ANYTHING – tell
us. It may not seem important but it could be
very important in the care you receive.
RED means ALLERGY ALERT
There are four different color coded “alert” wristbands that we are going to discuss because they are
the most commonly ones used.
What do the different colors mean?
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Staff Education — The Tools
continued
6. FAQ handout for staff (Document Provided)
This hand out was created to offer further clarification regarding the changes being made. You can use this as a hand out
or to post in staff areas as well.
If you use the last one, go to www.orhospitalquality.org. At the home page, click on the Patient Safety tab. You will see
the Color-coded Alert Wristband link- just click on that. Find the file that contains the document you are looking for. Find
the file that says “FAQ handout for staff.”
“Patient safety is our first priority”
51
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
FAQs about Color-coded Alert Wristbands
Q #1. In the past, we never used wristbands. Why should we
Q #5. So, if we adopt the purple DNR wristband then do we
consider it now?
still need to look in the chart?
A. While there is much discussion regarding the issue of
“to band or not to band,” a literature review to date has
not identified a better intervention conclusively. One
may say, “In the good old days, we just looked at the
chart and didn’t band patients at all,” however, those
days consisted of a workforce base that was largely
core staff employed by the hospital. Now, an increasing
number of healthcare providers are not hospital based
staff, so it is imperative that current processes take this
into consideration.
tion. It is important to know the current status so the
patient’s and families wishes can be honored. Always
validate that there is an order by a physician for the
DNR designation.
Q # 6. Why did you select red for Allergies?
A. Red was selected due to the results of a Nov. 2006
survey conducted with Oregon hospitals that indicated
one out of three hospitals already use the color red. It
just made sense to continue with an established color.
Q #2. We don’t use wristbands for DNRs at this hospital. Why
should we consider adopting this?
A. Yes. Code status can change throughout a hospitaliza-
A. Wristbands are used in most OR hospitals to communi-
Q #7. Besides that, are there any other reasons for using red
cate an alert. Registry staff, travelers, non-clinical staff,
etc. may be unaware of where to look in the medical
record if they are new to your hospital. By having a
wristband on, a quick warning is communicated so anyone could know about this alert. Additionally, it is also
a means to communicate to the family that we are clear
about their end of life wishes. By not having a band on,
errors of omission could potentially be created.
for Allergies?
Q #3. Why not use Blue for DNR?
A. At first we considered blue as an option. However, a
survey of OR hospitals indicated some hospitals call a
code by announcing “Code Blue.” By also having the
DNR wristband as “no code” there was the potential to
create confusion. “Does blue mean we code or do not
code?” To avoid creating any second guesses in this
critical moment, we opted to not use blue.
A. Yes there are. Our research of other industries tells
us that red has an association that implies extreme
concern. The American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) has designated certain colors with very specific
warnings. ANSI uses red to communicate “Stop!” or
“Danger!” We think that message should hold true for
communicating an allergy status. When a caregiver
sees a red allergy alert band they are prompted to
“STOP!” and double check if the patient is allergic to the
medication, food, or treatment they are about to receive.
Q # 8. Do we write the allergies on the wristband too?
A. No - it is our recommendation that allergies be written
in the medical record according to your hospital’s policy
and procedure. We suggest allergies not be written on
the wristband for several reasons:
1. Legibility make hinder the correct interpretation of the
allergy listed;
Q #4. Why didn’t you select Green for DNR?
A.Again, we considered this color as well; however, due
2. By writing allergies on the wristband someone may
assume the list is comprehensive. However, space is
limited on a wristband. The risk is that some allergies
would be inadvertently omitted – leading to confusion or
missing an allergy;
to color blindness concerns it was decided to avoid it
altogether. In other industries, the color green often has
a “Go Ahead” connotation, such as traffic lights. We
again want to avoid any possibility of sending “mixed
messages” in a critical moment. Green is currently being
used to indicate a trauma patient in some hospitals.
3. Throughout a hospitalization, allergies may be
“Patient safety is our first priority”
52
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
FAQs about Color-coded Alert Wristbands
continued
As the aging population enters the acute care environment, one must consider the risk that is present and do
all possible to communicate that to hospital staff. For
more information about falls and related statistics, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/fallcost.htm
discovered by other caregivers, such as dieticians,
radiologists, pharmacists, etc. This information is typically added to the medical record and not always a
wristband. By having one source of information to refer
to, such as the medical record, staff of all disciplines will
know where to add newly discovered allergies.
Q #11. Who decided on these colors?
A.The Oregon project is modeled after the original work
Q # 9. Why did you select yellow for Fall Risk?
A. Our research of other industries tells us that yellow
by Arizona and the experience of the WRAPS group.
The consensus of Oregon hospitals was to add a pink
wristband to indicate restricted extremity. A total of
four colors for patient wristbands will be standardized
throughout the state for those hospitals using colorcoded wristbands.
has an association that implies “Caution!” Think of the
traffic lights; proceed with caution or stop altogether is
the message with yellow lights. The American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) has designated certain
colors with very specific warnings. ANSI uses yellow to
communicate “Tripping or Falling hazards.” It fits well
in healthcare too when associated with a Fall Risk.
Caregivers would want to know to be on alert and use
caution with a person who has history of previous falls,
dizziness or balance problems, fatigability, or confusion
about their current surroundings.
For questions or comments regarding this project, please direct to:
Diane Waldo, Director of Quality and Clinical Services
Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems
4000 Kruse Way Place #2-100
Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035
Phone: 503-479-6016
Fax: 503-636-8310
Email: diane.waldo@oahhs.org
#10. Why even use an alert band for Fall Risk?
Q
A. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Pre-
vention (CDC), falls are an area of great concern in the
aging population. According to the CDC,
1. More than a third of adults aged 65 years or older fall
each year.
2. Older adults are hospitalized for fall-related injuries
five times more often than they are for injuries from
other causes.
3. Of those who fall, 20% to 30% suffer moderate to
severe injuries that reduce mobility and independence,
and increase the risk of premature death.
4. The total cost of all fall injuries for people age 65 or
older in 1994 was $27.3 billion (in current dollars).
5. By 2020, the cost of fall injuries is expected to reach
$43.8 billion (in current dollars) Hospital admissions for
hip fractures among people over age 65 have steadily
increased, from 230,000 admissions in 1988 to 338,000
admissions in 1999.
6. The number of hip fractures is expected to exceed
500,000 by the year 2040.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
53
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Staff Education — The Tools
continued
7. PowerPoint (with speaker notes)
This presentation was created to provide alternate teaching methods for the trainer. It can be used in large and
small groups. Please check our website periodically as we will update the presentation as needed. To do that, go to
www.orhospitalquality.org. At the home page, click on the Patient Safety tab. You will see the Color-coded Alert
Wristband link- just click on that. The CD in your tool kit also contains this PowerPoint presentation.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
54
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Policy and Procedure
“Patient safety is our first priority”
55
Policy andProcedure Template
Policy name: Color-coded Wristbands
1.
Purpose
To have a standardized process that identifies and communicates patient specific risk
factors or special needs by standardizing the use of color-coded wristbands based
upon the patient’s assessment, wishes, and medical status.
2.
Objectives - Color-coded Wristbands
Objectives are:
A.
To reduce the risk for potential confusion associated with the use of colorcoded wristbands.
B.
To communicate patient safety risks to all health care providers.
C.
To include the patient, family members, and significant others in the
communication process and promote safe health care.
D.
To adopt the following risk reduction strategies:
1. A preprinted written descriptive text is used on the bands clarifying the
intent (i.e., “Allergy”, “Fall Risk”, “DNR”, and Restricted Extremity)
2. Colored wrist bands may only be applied or removed by a nurse or
licensed staff person conducting an assessment.
3. If labels, stickers or other visual cues are used in the medical record to
communicate risk factors or wristband application, those cues should
use the same corresponding color and text to the colored band.
4. Social Cause wristbands, such as the “Live Strong” and other causes,
should not be worn in the hospital setting. Staff should have family
members take the social cause wristbands home or remove them from
the patient and store them with their other personal items. This is to
avoid confusion with the color-coded wristbands and to enhance
patient safety practices.
5. To assist the patient and their family members to be a partner in the
care provided and safety measures being used, patient and family
education should be conducted regarding:
a) The meanings of the hospital wristbands and the alert
associated with each wristband and
b) The risks associated with wearing social cause wristbands
and why they are asked to remove them.
3.
Definitions
The following represents the meaning of each color-coded band:
4.
Band Color
Communicates
Red
Allergy
Yellow
Fall Risk
Purple
DNR
Pink
Restricted
Extremity
Identification (ID) Bands in Admission, Pre-Registration Procedure and/or
Emergency Department
The colorless or clear admission ID wristbands are applied in accordance with
procedures outlined in organizational policy on patient ID and registration. These
ID bands may be applied by non-clinical staff in accordance with organizational
policy.
5.
Color-coded Hospital Bands
During the initial patient assessment, data is collected to evaluate the needs of the
patient and a plan of care unique to the individual is initiated. Throughout the
course of care, reassessment is ongoing which may uncover additional pertinent
medical information, trigger key decision points, or reveal additional risk factors
about the patient. It is during the initial and reassessment procedures that risk
factors associated with falls, allergies, DNR status, and extremity issues are
identified or modified. Because this is an interdisciplinary process, it is important
to identify who has responsibility for applying and removing color-coded bands,
how this information is documented and how it is communicated. The following
procedures have been established to remove uncertainty in these processes:
A. Any patient demonstrating risk factors on initial assessment will have a coloredband placed on the same extremity as the admission ID band by the admitting
nurse.
B. The application of the band is documented in the chart by the nurse per hospital
policy.
C. If labels, stickers or other visual cues are used to document in the record, the
stickers should correspond to band color and text.
D. Upon application of the colored band, the nurse will instruct the patient and their
family member(s) (if present) that the wristband is not to be removed.
E. In the event that any color-coded wristband(s) have to be removed for a treatment
or procedure, a nurse will remove the bands. Upon completion of the treatment or
procedure, new bands will be made, risks reconfirmed, and the bands placed
immediately by the nurse.
6.
Social Cause Wristbands
Following the patient ID process, a licensed clinician, such as the admitting nurse,
examines the patient for “social cause” wristbands. If social cause wristbands are
present, the nurse will explain the risks associated with the wristbands and ask the
patient to remove them. If the patient agrees, the band will be removed and given
to a family member to take home, or stored with the other personal belongings of
the patient. If the patient refuses, the nurse will request the patient sign a refusal
form acknowledging the risks associated with the social cause wristbands (see
attached document). In the event that the patient is unable to provide permission,
and family member(s) or a significant other is not present, the licensed staff
member may remove the band(s) in order to reduce the potential confusion or
harm to the patient.
7.
Patient /Family Involvement and Education
It is important that the patient and family members are informed about the care
being provided and the significance of that care. It is also important that the
patient and their family member(s) be acknowledged as a valuable member of the
health care team. Including them in the process of color-coded wristbands will
assure a common understanding of what the bands mean, how care is provided
when the bands are worn, and their role in correcting any information that
contributes to this process. Therefore, during assessment procedures, the nurse
should take the opportunity to educate and re-educate the patient and their family
members about:
a) The meanings of the hospital wristbands and the alert
associated with each wristband;
b) The risks associated with wearing social cause wristbands
and why they are asked to remove them.
c) To notify the nurse whenever a wristband has been removed
and not reapplied, or
d) When a new band is applied and they have not been given
explanation as to the reason.
Patients and families have available to them a patient /family education brochure
(see attached) that explains this information as well.
8.
Hand-Offs in Care
The nurse will reconfirm color-coded wristbands before invasive procedures, at
transfer and during changes in level of care with patient / family, other caregivers,
and the patient’s chart. Errors are corrected immediately.
Color-coded bands are not removed at discharge. For discharge to home, the
patient is advised to remove the band(s) at home. For discharge to another
facility, the band(s) are left intact as a safety alert during transfer. Receiving
facilities should following their policy and procedure for the banding process.
9.
DNR (Do Not Resuscitate)
DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) status and all other risk assessments are determined by
individual hospital policy, procedure and/or physician order written within and
acknowledged within that care setting only. The color-coded wristband serves as
an alert and does not take the place of an order. Do Not Resuscitate orders must
be written and verification of Advanced Directives must occur.
10.
Staff Education
Staff education regarding color-coded wristbands will occur during the new
employee orientation process and reinforced as appropriate.
(Note to Hospitals: You should insert your specific language in this section so it
matches your annual processes and competencies, should you decide to include
color-coded wristbands in that process)
11.
Patient Refusal
If the patient is oriented and refuses to wear the color-coded band, an explanation
of the risks will be provided to the patient / family. The nurse will reinforce to the
patient that this process provides an opportunity to participate in efforts to prevent
errors in their care. The nurse will document in the medical record patient
refusals, and the explanation provided by the patient or their family member. The
patient will be requested to sign an acknowledgement of refusal by the completion
of a release.
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Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Vendor Information
“Patient safety is our first priority”
61
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Vendor Information
Most providers belong to a Group Purchasing Organizations (GPO) that your Materials Management department works
with. In order for the colors of the wristbands to match from facility to facility, the vendor of choice will need the following
information:
Band Type
Color Specifications
Text Specifications
Font Style and Size
Allergy Band
Red — PMS 1788
“ALLERGY” in Black
Arial Bold,
48 pt. All Caps
Fall Risk Band
Yellow — PMS 102
“FALL RISK” in Black
Arial Bold,
48 pt. All Caps
DNR Band
Purple — PMS 254
“DNR” in White
Arial Bold,
48 pt. All Caps
Restricted
Extremity Band
Pink — PMS 1905
“RESTRICTED EXTREMITY”
in Black
Arial Bold,
28 pt. All Caps
“Patient safety is our first priority”
62
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Acknowledgements
“Patient safety is our first priority”
63
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
To access the Tool Kit
The Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems is pleased to share the contents of this tool kit with hospitals
in Oregon based upon permission from the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association and in particular Barb Averyt,
Program Director, Safe and Sound. On behalf of OAHHS, we want to thank Barb and her workgroup for their passion,
excellent tools and willingness to share to make this quality project possible in Oregon.
You may access the online information at http://www.orhospitalquality.org/patientsafety
To discuss this project or obtain information, please contact:
Diane Waldo, Director of Quality and Clinical Services
Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems
4000 Kruse Way Place, Building 2, Suite 100
Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035
Phone: 503-479-6016
Email: diane.waldo@oahhs.org
© Copyright 2006 Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
64
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Sponsorship
We also want to thank The St. John Companies, Inc. for their generous sponsorship in this endeavor. If you would like to
contact our sponsor, please direct your inquiry to:
Karen Joseph
Senior Product Manager – Wristbands / Patient Safety
The St. John Companies, Inc.
25167 Anza Drive
Valencia, CA 91355
Phone: 800-435-4242 x 245
Fax: 661-257-2587
Email: kjoseph@stjohninc.com
Web: www.stjohninc.com
www.patientidexpert.com
“Patient safety is our first priority”
65
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
The Big Picture
W.R.A.P.S.
Western Region Alliance for Patient Safety
National capital
WASHINGTON
MONTANA
OREGON
IDAHO
WYOMING
NORTH
DAKOTA
MINNESOTA
SOUTH
DAKOTA
NEBRASKA
UTAH
UTAH
NEW HAMPSHIRE
NEW YORK
NEVADA
NEVADA
CALIFORNIA
CALIFORNIA
WISCONSIN
PENNSYLVANIA
ILLINOIS
KANSAS
MARYLAND
OHIO
INDIANA
WEST
VIRGINIA
MISSOURI
OKLAHOMA
ARKANSAS
PACIFIC
OCEAN
DELAWARE
WASHINGTON D.C.
NORTH
CAROLINA
TENNESSEE
SOUTH
CAROLINA
MISSISSIPPI
GEORGIA
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
ALABAMA
TEXAS
CONNECTICUT
NEW JERSEY
VIRGINIA
KENTUCKY
NEW MEXICO
MEXICO
NEW
MASSACHUSETTS
RHODE ISLAND
IOWA
COLORADO
COLORADO
ARIZONA
ARIZONA
MAINE
VERMONT
MIC
HI
G
AN
In April 2006, the Western Region Alliance
for Patient Safety (WRAPS) was formed with
the goal of impacting the quality and safety of
healthcare in the western regional states. The
purpose of WRAPS is to enhance and promote
patient safety by advocating the adoption of
regional safe practices in healthcare when
possible. By working together, this group can
make improvements in healthcare safety at a
higher level than organizations working alone.
Standardizing color-coded wristbands in
geographically related areas that often share
healthcare providers makes sense.
LOUISIANA
ALASKA
HAWAII
GULF OF MEXICO
PACIFIC
OCEAN
PACIFIC
OCEAN
0
250
FLORIDA
500 MI
The support and hard work of this collaborative
alliance promotes safety for all; safety for the
patients, safety for the families and safety for
the healthcare providers. We want to thank and acknowledge the commitment of the following individuals and
their states for the dedication to see standardization of color-coded wristband through fruition.
Arizona
Colorado
Barb Averyt
Program Director, Safe and Sound
Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association
Phoenix, Arizona
Scott Anderson
Director, Data Policy and Research
Colorado Health and Hospital Association
Denver, Colorado
Cari Fouts
Project Manager, Colorado Foundation for Medical Care
Denver, Colorado
California
Sue Bartlett
Director, Quality Initiatives
Hospital Council of Northern and Central CA
Walnut Creek, California
Paula M. Stearns, MSN, RN
Executive Director, Colorado Nurses Association
Denver, Colorado
Debby Rogers, RN, MS
Vice President, Quality and Patient Safety
California Hospital Association
Sacramento, California
“Patient safety is our first priority”
66
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
New Mexico
Nevada
Carlene Brown
New Mexico Medical Review Assn. (NMMRA)
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Jackie Buttaccio, CPHQ
Project Associate, HealthInsight
Las Vegas, Nevada
Caryn Relkin
Project Manager, New Mexico Hospitals and
Health Systems Assn.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Utah
Jackie Buttaccio, CPHQ
Project Associate, HealthInsight
Utah
“Patient safety is our first priority”
67
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
St. John Products
“Patient safety is our first priority”
68
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Our St. John Offices
The St. John Companies, Inc.
The St. John Companies, Inc., an established
leader in patient identification products for the
healthcare industry, was founded in 1956 with
its invention of the Spee-D-Date™ X-ray date
Valencia, California
(Headquarters)
label. St. John has since become one of the
top manufacturers and distributors of patient
wristbands, labels, medical imaging and medical
records products to thousands of U.S. hospitals
Logan, Ohio
and alternate care facilities. With over 40,000 labels
exclusively for healthcare and a complete line of
stock and custom medical records products and
X-ray supplies, St. John customers benefit from
West Jordan, Utah
consolidating their purchases for these products
and enjoy the ability to simplify their consumable
product ordering processes. This unique “one-stop
shop” has enabled St. John to earn the business
of over 80% of all US hospitals and thousands of
Tijuana, Mexico
alternate sites.
The St. John Companies’ headquarters is located in Valencia, California, and additional
facilities are located in Ohio and Utah. Call today at 800-435-4242 or visit our website
at www.patientidexpert.com or www.stjohninc.com to learn more about The St. John
Companies and the products we offer.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
69
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
The St. John Companies, Inc.
continued
Our primary product lines include:
Patient identification solutions including
St. John manufactures a broad selection
patient ID wristbands for:
of printed and “computer-printable” labels
• Admissions
for every department, including lab,
• Alerts
pharmacy, nursing, central service and
• Blood ID
imaging. St. John introduced its own
• Labor & Delivery
brand of sterile labels in 2006 to sup-
• Pediatrics
port the The Joint Commission (JCAHO)
• Disaster Response
requirement that all items in the OR be
• Emergency Room Purposes
sterilized.
In addition to the widest
Medical records supplies including stock
selection of wristbands available,
and custom file folders and chart dividers,
St. John also offers companion labels and
flags and tags, poly divider sets and stat
software to create and print barcodes on patient
flags, out-guides, shelving and carts.
ID wristbands to support positive patient ID.
In 2005, St. John broadened its offering of
X-ray filing supplies including stock and
patient ID solutions with the acquisition of
custom master jackets, category insert
Bio-Logics Products, the only wristband
jackets, negative preservers and transport
manufacturer to introduce the concept of
jackets.
“24/7 Patient Identification” and consolidated
wristbands. This innovative solution provides
Medical imaging supplies including
the ability to immediately re-band patients at
stock and custom X-ray date labels,
bedside, increasing patient safety and ensuring
super-stretchy skin markers, cassette
that your patients are wearing a band and are
covers and much more.
identified during their entire stay. The Bio-Logics
patient ID solution gives users the ability to
combine admissions, alert and blood bands into
one ID band providing a safer and more costeffective method of patient identification.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
70
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Patient Alert Products
Healthcare facilities all around the country use
colored wristbands to indicate special needs,
precautions and warnings that can help caregivers
quickly understand treatment requirements for
their patients. Because of concerns
about lack of standardization for colored
alerts, some organizations – both
regional and national – have
embarked on efforts to
create standards for color
usage on alert bands.
St. John is actively
working with a number
of these organizations to
promote safer practices
when it comes to alerting
caregivers about patients’
special needs.
Catalog Number Color
WBW-450DN-33 Purple
WBW-450AL-16
Red
WBW-450FR-14 Yellow
Description
DNR
Allergy
Fall Risk
Call for additional styles, colors and imprints.
St. John offerings include:
• Colored plastic-type bands with
adhesive closure
St. John Companies’ customers
can choose from an array of colored
wristbands, many of which can be printed with the
name of the particular alert to reduce mistakes
due to caregivers becoming confused about a
particular color’s meaning. In addition, St. John
has a number of proprietary and innovative
products that enable facilities to consolidate their
chosen alert colors into primary identification
bands. Consolidated bands ensure that alerts are
not overlooked and drive caregivers to make sure
that they know their patients’ identities by looking
at the printed information on the wristband.
• Colored plastic-type bands with
snap closure (shown above)
• Alert bands with printed alert name
or symbol
• Color-only Tyvek® bands
• Colored and/or embossed snaps that fit
into primary wristband’s holes to provide
alert information
• Consolidated wristbands with colored and
printed alert labels
• Color-coded primary bands that are laser
or thermal printable
“Patient safety is our first priority”
71
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Patient Alert Products
continued
Our proprietary, innovative In-A-Snap™ colored alert
clasps allow you to consolidate multiple wristbands
while ensuring that critical alert information
is visible and easily seen and understood by
caregivers. In-A-Snap™ colored alert clasps can
be color coded and, if desired, imprinted with
the specific alert. Communicate multiple alerts
on a single consolidated wristband easily and
effectively with In-A-Snap’s™ unique interleaving
design. A consolidated wristband provides greater
comfort for your patients, cost savings for you and
increased patient safety when multiple wristbands
are not overlooked. In-A-Snap™ colored alert clasps
work with a wide variety of St. John patient ID
wristbands. Our patient safety experts can help
you select the best wristband to meet your facility’s
unique requirements.
St. John is committed to helping you achieve
your patient safety goals. Whether you choose to
use distinct colored alert bands or clasps, prefer
to implement integrated wristbands that include
special alert labels, or want to find a primary
identification band that can be color-coded.
Our patient safety experts will work with you to
determine the best way to identify “at risk” patients.
Our wide assortment of wristbands will meet the
needs of virtually every facility. If you don’t see a
solution that meets your needs, we’ll be happy to
customize alerts and wristbands for you.
In-A-Snap™ Colored Alert Clasps
Available Imprints:
- ALLERGY
- DIABETIC
- DNR
- FALL RISK
- ISOLATION
- NAME ALERT
- NO BLOOD
- NO LATEX
Available Colors:
Custom imprints and colors available,
call for more information.
Call St. John today at 800-435-4242 for more information and samples of our full array of patient
alert products. Or, visit our website at www.patientidexpert.com or www.stjohninc.com to learn
more about these and other St. John Companies products.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
72
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
ScanRite™ Clasp Closure and Adhesive Closure
Thermal Wristbands
Enjoy the benefits of outstanding patient
identification products with St. John’s new
ScanRite™ thermal printable wristbands.
The ScanRite™ clasp and adhesive closure
bands offer low cost and the ease of printing
bands with a thermal printer. Eliminate the
high cost of toner and the jamming problems
associated with laser printers. The patient
information is “burned” directly on the band
eliminating the hassle of assembling bands
that require an overlaminate to protect the laser
printed image. “Burning” the information directly
on the thermal printed wristband creates a
sharper image and better barcode scanability
when compared to laser printed wristbands.
Key features include:
• Durable, crisp print image
• Easy to put on (no assembly required)
• Excellent barcode scanability
• Resilient material
• Waterproof
• Tamper-proof clasp or adhesive closure
• Large print area
• Affordable
• Optional integrated alerts using colored,
embossed clasps (clasp closure band)
• Contoured design to improve comfort
(clasp closure band)
“Patient safety is our first priority”
73
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
ScanRite™ Clasp Closure and Adhesive Closure
Thermal Wristbands continued
The ScanRite™ band is an excellent option for facilities that are
concerned about providing patients with ID bands that have
exceptional tamper resistance, durability, and comfort. St. John
Companies’ patent pending clasp is designed to enhance patient
comfort by eliminating the need for large, two-pronged plastic
closures while eliminating the irritation that can be caused by
clasps with only one post that pivot and are less secure.
The ScanRite™ band makes it easy to increase patient safety
while you benefit from the convenience and proven durability of
thermal wristbands. In-A-Snap™ color-coded clasps embossed
with the name of the specific alert warn caregivers about Fall Risk,
Allergies or Advance Directives and other areas of concern. The
clasps easily attach to the identification band by snapping them
into the holes along the strap. Clasps are available in an array of
colors with embossed text that minimizes mix-ups that can occur
when caregivers see colored bands that patients may have worn
at admission or when there is no community standard that assigns
a uniform color to particular alerts.
ScanRite™ bands are a great choice if you want to enhance
patient safety while enjoying the cost-savings St. John is wellknown for throughout the industry. With our many GPO contracts,
we provide outstanding value while allowing your facility to be
contract compliant.
New thermal wristband users can take advantage of St. John’s
expertise to choose the right printer, select the right patient
information to print on the bands and implement our IdentiMatch™ patient identification software solution that seamlessly
gets patient information and barcodes onto the bands.
Call St. John today at 800-435-4242 for more information and a sample of the ScanRite™ Band
and the In-A-Snap™ colored alert clasps. Or, visit our website at www.patientidexpert.com or
www.stjohninc.com to learn more about these and other St. John Companies products.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
74
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Bio-Logics Consolidated Wristbands
St. John’s Bio-Logics wristbands offer the
most comprehensive patient identification
available today. Forward-thinking hospitals
with extensive efforts to improve patient
safety have implemented these products over
the last 30 years because they want to be
sure to positively identify their patients and
their risk factors correctly at all times.
Without Bio-Logics
The St. John Companies, a leader in
patient identification products, is proud
to manufacture wristbands that combine
basic patient identification information,
alerts, bedside specimen labeling and
blood management into one consolidated
wristband. Hospitals no longer need to have
multiple separate bands for admissions,
alerts and blood bank. All of these products
are combined into one consolidated
wristband! The unique design of the band
allows caregivers to immediately re-band
their patients at bedside if the wristband is
removed for any reason.
With Bio-Logics
Front: Bio-Logics Barcodable Label Based
Consolidated Wristband with Alerts
Option 1
Option 2
Back: Blood Bank ID
Number with Barcode
Key features include:
• 24/7 identification using the unique
Bio-Logics tag
• Tamper-proof closure
• Incorporates all information in a single ID
• Cost-effective, incorporating all bands
into one
• Card-based bands support manual label
printing directly from the wristband
• Improved comfort for patients with a
single band
• Label-based bands use laser or thermal
printable labels for barcoding
• Multiple colors to choose from
• Resilient material
• Pre-embossed numbers (optional) can
support mass casualty needs
• Adult, pediatric and mother/father/baby sizes
• Water resistant
“Patient safety is our first priority”
75
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Bio-Logics Consolidated Wristbands
continued
The unique Bio-Logics patient identification
tag lets you print patient specific specimen
and blood ID labels on-demand at the
patient’s bedside. Increase patient safety
by eliminating pre-printed labels that can
be mistakenly and dangerously applied to
the wrong patient’s specimen. Additionally,
reduce unlabeled specimens and costly,
time consuming redraws when specimens
are labeled immediately, with labels created
on-demand from the patient’s ID tag at
bedside.
Bio-Logics Barcodable Card Based
Consolidated Wristband with Alerts
You can choose manual or electronic ondemand label printing. Labels can be printed
at the patients bedside as needed using
the Bio-Logics manual label printer. The
Identi-Match™ Lab system allows you to
electronically verify the patient’s identity
and print specimen labels at the patient’s
bedside. The Biologics patient identification
tag’s flat surface ensures the highest first
scan read rate for your barcodes even on
the smallest wrists.
Identi-Match™ Lab System enables electronic
printing of patient specific specimen labels
on-demand at the patient’s bedside.
Use the Bio-Logics label printer to manually print
patient specific specimen and blood ID labels
on-demand at the patient’s bedside.
Call St. John today at 800-435-4242 for more information and a sample of the Bio-Logics family of
wristband products. Or, visit our website at www.patientidexpert.com or www.stjohninc.com to
learn more about these and other St. John Companies products.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
76
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Soft Bands™
Healthcare facilities all over the world have been
searching for wristbands that support patient
identification and maintain their patients’ skin integrity
throughout a hospital stay. St. John’s Soft Band™
laser wristbands are a brand new patent pending
patient identification choice that’s perfect for your
most sensitive patients – from neonates to senior
citizens and everyone in between. You can be
confident that patient safety efforts for proper patient
identification won’t be hampered by wristbands
that macerate or irritate when Soft Band™ is your
wristband choice. This super soft product supports
your barcoding efforts and allows you to use laser
printers to clearly print patient information directly on
the wristbands.
Cat. No. WBWSFT1
Adhesive Closure
Clasp Closure
Our new line of single wristband Soft Bands™ for
adult and pediatric patients are available with a
proprietary design that allows users to secure the
bands with either the adhesive closure or with St.
John’s patent pending In-A-Snap™ clasp. And,
whether or not you choose the clasp closure, you can
take advantage of the color-coded and embossed
In-A-Snap™ alert clasps that can be easily affixed to
the strap of the Soft Band™.
Key features include:
• Special construction creates durable
print image
• Works with most popular laser printers
• Maintains skin integrity
• Latex and phthalate-free
• Large print area
• Excellent barcode scanability
• Pattern adhesive eliminates printer
contamination
• Resilient super soft fabric material
• Water resistant
• Unique format allows for tag or
“watchband” application
• Tamper-evident infant bands
“Patient safety is our first priority”
77
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Soft Bands™
continued
The St. John Companies, a leader in patient
identification products, offers customers an
innovative version of Soft Band™ for maternity
patients with full-length straps on all four
bands to better accommodate larger patients.
Our maternity product also includes a unique
numbering system on all four wristbands that
are incorporated on the laser-printable sheets;
a bonus crib/ID card is also included with the
maternity version.
Front
Soft Band™ laser is the best choice for patient
identification when skin integrity, patient
comfort and ease of barcode scanning are
important to you. You can easily print barcodes,
patient information and photos directly on the
wristband using St. John’s Identi-Match™ patient
identification software.
Back
Cat. No. WBWMFB5
Cat. No. WBWMFB6
Call St. John today at 800-435-4242 for more information and a sample of the Soft Band laser
wristband. Or, visit our website at www.patientidexpert.com or www.stjohninc.com to learn
more about these and other St. John Companies products.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
78
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Conf-ID-ent™ Laser Wristbands
St. John’s Conf-ID-ent™ laser wristbands
are a popular patient identification choice
for hospitals around the country. Hundreds
of hospitals have implemented this
affordable and easy to use product as they
pursue patient safety efforts, including
barcoding and clearly printed patient
information on their wristbands.
Conf ID ent
™
Patient Identification System
Reorder: Call (800) 435-4242
EMARWB
Conf ID ent
™
Patient Identification System
Reorder: Call (800) 435-4242
DNR
05/14/1950
56M
DR: W. FRIENDLY
The St. John Companies, one of the
leaders in patient identification products,
provides customers with a wide array of
laser wristband layouts and designs to
ensure that the products meet the specific
requirements of each facility. Using most
existing laser printers, the Conf-ID-ent™
laser wristbands are easy to implement
and excellent for facilities of all sizes.
ALLERGY
FALL RISK
EMARWB1
Cat. No. EMARWB1
Cat. No. WBW01
Conf ID ent
™
Patient Identification System
Reorder: Call (800) 435-4242
DNR
05/14/1950
56M
DR: W. FRIENDLY
ALLERGY
FALL RISK
Cat. No. WBW31
Key features include:
• Laminate protects print image
• Affordable
• Easy to put on
• Excellent barcode scanability
• Chart labels integrated onto wristband sheet
add value
• Resilient material
• Chart holes available for added security
• Water resistant
• Pattern adhesive eliminates printer
contamination
• Tamper-evident closure option
• Repositionable option to improve rate of
properly banded patients
• Works with most popular laser printers
• Large print area
“Patient safety is our first priority”
79
Color-coded Wristband
Standardization in Oregon
Conf-ID-ent™ Laser Wristbands
continued
The Conf-ID-ent™ laser wristband is a marketleader because it uses proven technology
and helps hospitals with their commitment
to improve patient safety. Our patient safety
experts will help you identify the specific
wristband layout and printers that work best
for you. And St. John goes one step further by
supporting your implementation with training
that includes education on successful scanning
techniques that will help your staff with this
new requirement.
Conf-ID-ent™ laser wristbands are a great
choice if you want to enhance patient safety
while enjoying the cost-savings St. John
is well-known for throughout the industry.
With our many GPO contracts, we provide
outstanding value while allowing your facility to
be contract compliant.
Call St. John today at 800-435-4242 for more information and a sample of the Conf-ID-ent laser
wristband. Or, visit our website at www.patientidexpert.com or www.stjohninc.com to learn
more about these and other St. John Companies products.
“Patient safety is our first priority”
80
TM
THE
COMPANIES
As low as
00
189
per month
$
Identi-Match
Patient Identification
™
Barcoding and printing wristbands
and patient labels has never been easier or
more cost-effective, with virtually no hospital IT
resources required for full implementation.
■ Identi-Match™ Patient Identification is a
✔
revolutionary tool that simplifies the process
by which patient information – including
barcoded data – seamlessly moves from
your ADT system onto wristbands and labels
when admitting or registering patients.
■ The unique Identi-Match™ Patient
✔
Identification system requires no modification
or integration to your admitting system or
patient ID processes, making implementation
painless, inexpensive and hassle-free.
■ With Identi-Match™ Patient Identification,
✔
your facility can be up and running with
printed and barcoded patient identification
tools that enhance safety and quickly
advance your efforts for barcode point-ofcare and other scanning solutions.
■ Our technical professionals require
✔
minimal information and support from your
very busy IT staff to get the system up and
running, so you don’t have to worry about
limited internal resources.
Phone: 800.435.4242 • Fax: 800.321.4409 • Online: www.stjohninc.com • www.patientidexpert.com
Address: 25167 Anza Drive • Valencia, California 91355
81
Identi-Match Patient Identification
™
“We can have
barcodes on your
wristbands in less
than 8 weeks for
as little as
$189.00 per month.”
Features
• Inexpensive – does not “integrate” with your ADT system
• Easy implementation requires minimal information and
support from your busy IT staff
• Supports all barcode symbologies, including 2D and Aztec
• Complete solution available including software, wristbands,
labels and printers
• Free consultation on recommended information layouts,
media and implementation practices
• Sites can select variable fields from ADT system
• Works with traditional wristbands and labels as well as
thermal or laser printable wristbands
• “Down time” application enables wristband and label
printing when ADT system is not on line
• Includes five client licenses for off-line, downtime printing
• Installation and configuration support is included
• One-year service plan includes 24/7 remote access
support and updates
• Can incorporate static information, like hospital name
Identi-Match™ Patient Identification Plus
Identi-Match™ Patient Identification Plus takes positive
patient ID to the next level. This system lets facilities
enhance their patient identification solution with the
addition of patient photographs, making positive patient
identification more foolproof than ever before.*
Facilities can choose color laser or monochrome thermal or
laser printers for picture-perfect patient wristbands.
*Digital cameras and related equipment are not included.
Powered by
© The St. John Companies, Inc. 2007
82
717
Phone: 800.435.4242 • Fax: 800.321.4409 • Online: www.stjohninc.com • Online: www.patientidexpert.com
Address: 25167 Anza Drive • Valencia, California 91355
THE
TM
COMPANIES
Identi-Match Laboratory
™
Positive Patient ID & Specimen Labeling System
Properly identify laboratory samples
and confirm that the correct specimen is collected from the right patient
each and every time without spending hundreds of thousands of dollars.
❍R
educe specimen
labeling errors
❍E
nhance safety by
ensuring positive
patient ID
❍ I nstill patient
and caregiver
confidence
❍S
ave thousands
of dollars
❍L
ow cost leasing
option available
■ Identi-Match™ Laboratory
✔
allows you to create specimen
labels on demand – right at the
patient’s bedside – eliminating
errors associated with
misidentified or unidentified
specimens and patients
■ The Identi-Match™ Laboratory
✔
solution does not require
integration to your
legacy systems, so it
costs much less than
comparable solutions
and is easier and faster
to implement (as little
as just 8 weeks)
■ With Identi-Match™ Laboratory,
✔
you can stop using pre-labeled
tubes or pre-printed labels that
can cause errors and diagnosis
delays.
■ Implementing Identi-Match™
✔
Laboratory and selecting the most
effective patient identification
products is a proven and cost
effective way to enhance patient
safety and comply with The Joint
Commission 2006 National patient
Safety Goals.
44000per month
As $
low as
Identi-Match™ has enabled us to get control over the specimen labeling process in our facility.
The system’s simple-to-use tools have been well-accepted – even embraced – by our staff. The
level of confidence among caregivers of all disciplines has increased significantly. We know we
are correctly identifying specimens throughout the facility and we know that this helps us provide
superior care to all of our patients.
— Jim McBride
Lab Director
Davis Hospital & Medical Center
Phone: 800.435.4242 • Fax: 800.321.4409
Online: www.stjohninc.com • Online: www.patientidexpert.com
Address: 25167 Anza Drive, Valencia, CA 91355
83
Everyone benefits!
Hospital Decision Makers, Caregivers and Patients!
Hospital Decision Makers
• Simply and easily supports patient safety goals by generating specimen
ID labels at the patient’s bedside
• Closed-loop, self-contained system reduces the difficulties associated with
interfaces and system integration
• Affordable system provides exceptional value (leasing option available)
• Implementation is quick and easy requiring limited IT resources
• Provides an audit trail for ensuring that samples are properly accessioned
and labeled
• Hardware and software support with round-the-clock, toll-free help desk
and next business day advance-replacement of faulty hardware
• Supports cost-effective add-on modules that can easily be implemented as
they become available
Caregivers
• Graphical user interface is intuitive and easy to use
•Tools and processes are designed to make the system fast and painless
• Training takes only a few minutes
• Confidence in knowing that specimens are properly identified and results
are for the correct patient
• Reduces the need for re-draws due to unlabeled and incorrectly
labeled specimens
• Eliminates the need to hand-write information on labels
• Ensures that time-sensitive samples are evaluated within the appropriate
time span
Patients
• Confidence in knowing that their specimens are properly labeled
• Assurance that reported test results are their own, resulting in accurate
diagnosis and treatment
• Favorable impression of the facility’s use of technology to improve care
• Eliminates the need for painful re-draws due to mis-labeled or unidentified
specimens
Phone: 800.435.4242 • Fax: 800.321.4409 • Online: www.stjohninc.com • Online: www.patientidexpert.com
Address: 25167 Anza Drive • Valencia, CA 91355
84
How Identi-Match Laboratory works
™
1) Upon
admission, patients receive a wristband with identifying information
and at least one 2D barcode that embeds three or more of the patient’s
unique identifiers.
2) When a lab sample is requested, the caregiver goes to the patient’s location
carrying the tools needed to collect the sample, a PDA with built-in scanner
and a mobile label printer. (Optionally, the system will support confirmation
of correct testing with accession number scanning. When implemented, a
barcoded print-out of the lab orders is also brought to the bedside.)
3) W
hen the patient is ready to have the sample taken, the caregiver uses the
PDA to scan the barcode on his/her badge. The staff ID code populates the
field on the PDA screen.
+
4) The caregiver then scans the 2D barcode on the patient’s wristband using the PDA.
The patient ID number populates the field on the PDA screen. (Using the optional
accession number scanning function, the caregiver continues by scanning the
barcodes on the lab order form. This populates the screen’s accession number field
and provides the caregiver with information about the specimen to be taken.)
5) T
he PDA screen then gives the user a choice of how many labels to print.
Users choose 1, 2, 4 or 6 labels using a stylus, their finger or a pencil to select
23456-78910
the appropriate quantity. (The quantity of labels to print can be adjusted to your
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facility’s specific needs.)
6) The selected number of labels prints from the mobile printer. Labels contain
information including patient identifiers, caregiver ID number, time/date the label
was printed, and if applicable, accession number.
7) The caregiver collects the specimens and places the labels on the specimen
containers at bedside. Specimens are sent to the lab for analysis where
patient information is readily available on the labels so results can be
confidently matched to the patient.
Phone: 800.435.4242 • Fax: 800.321.4409 • Online: www.stjohninc.com • Online: www.patientidexpert.com
Address: 25167 Anza Drive • Valencia, CA 91355
85
Identi-Match Laboratory features
™
3L
q
ow cost non-integrated system. Choose
purchase or leasing option
3E
q
asy to install non-integrated system
requires few IT resources
3 Includes down-time patient ID program
q
3 Customized wristband and label formatting
q
3 Portable and easy-to-use components
q
3 Easy-to-use bedside labeling
q
3 Time-date stamps for all activities
q
3C
q
omplies with CAP and Joint Commission
guidelines for patient identification
3G
q
uidance and consulting services relating
to safety and patient identification processes
and policies
3F
q
unctions regardless of HIS, LIS or other
system availability
3M
q
odular systems will include transfusion,
medication administration and breast milk
matching applications
3 Prohibits label generation if wrong patient
q
information is scanned
3 Provides an audit trail for reporting and
q
compliance
3F
q
REE consultation to help you select the best
wristband for your facility
3 Works with most types of wristbands
q
3 Installation services for all systems sold,
q
including remote and on-site consultations
3T
q
raining for super-users and end-users
(including training documentation)
“Identi-Match™ was just the right solution for our hospital. The clinical staff – nurses, lab staff, physicians and even
IT – love the simplicity of the system and the way it meets patient safety needs. I love the affordability! It’s great to
finally find a clinical solution we can easily expand as our needs warrant without having to worry about huge capital
investments and over-spending on our budgets. The support program is amazing, too – it’s an excellent way to
ensure that the staff will be able to provide the best care at all times.”
— Steven M. Kimber
Materials Manager
Davis Hospital & Medical Center
For more information,
visit us at:
www.patientidexpert.com
Hardware Specifications:
Symbol MC70 — Wireless PDA with 2D Imager
or talk to a patient identification
Zebra QL220+ — Wireless Direct Thermal Printer
specialist at (800) 435-4242
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86
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Phone: 800.435.4242 • Fax: 800.321.4409 • Online: www.stjohninc.com • Online: www.patientidexpert.com
Address: 25167 Anza Drive • Valencia, CA 91355